Karachi: Speaking at a press conference outside the Karachi Press Club, Sammi Deen Baloch, a leader of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), highlighted two key issues: The release of BYC’s biannual human rights report on Balochistan (January–June 2025) and the ongoing peaceful protest in Islamabad by families of detained BYC leaders, who are reportedly facing state repression.
Presenting the report, Sammi Deen Baloch stated, “This is not just a compilation of statistics, but a record of the pain, oppression and systemic state violence endured by the people of Balochistan. The province is currently operating under the law of the jungle, where not only are fundamental rights suspended, but the constitution, rule of law and justice itself have been completely undermined and consistently violated.” He said the report is based on testimonies from victims’ families, eyewitnesses, local human rights organizations and documented evidence.
Key Findings from the BYC Human Rights Report (Jan–Jun 2025):
1. Enforced Disappearances
A total of 752 people were forcibly disappeared during the first six months of 2025. Of these, 181 were released after short-term detention, while 25 were reportedly killed in custody. The remaining 546 individuals remain missing, with no information provided to their families regarding their whereabouts. The highest number of cases were reported from the Makuran Division, with the Frontier Corps (FC) frequently implicated. This wave of disappearances amounts to collective punishment of Baloch nation.
2. Extrajudicial Killings
The report documents 117 extrajudicial killings between January and June 2025. Most of these incidents involved staged encounters, “kill-and-dump” operations, or deaths in custody. Victims were mostly youth, students and politically aware individuals. These killings are described as part of both a policy of collective punishment and what the BYC refers to as “Genocidal targeting” of the Baloch people. With the legal system paralyzed, no mechanisms for justice or accountability remain.
3. Torture and State Violence
Nearly all individuals subjected to enforced disappearance were reportedly tortured during detention. Eyewitnesses say that the bodies of many extrajudicially killed victims bore clear signs of physical abuse, serving as undeniable evidence of the inhumane treatment by state institutions. Torture is reportedly used not only to extract information but also to instill fear and suppress broader society.
4. Collective Punishment
Collective punishment is described as a daily reality in Balochistan. Entire families and communities are reportedly harassed when a relative is detained or disappears. Houses are raided, women are beaten, and children are subjected to psychological trauma. These actions are now normalized as part of routine state operations.
5. Suspension of Civil Liberties
Freedom of expression, peaceful protest and movement have been severely restricted in Balochistan. Organizations like the Baloch Yakjehti Committee are not only labeled as terrorists, but their volunteers and leaders face false FIRs, detentions under the Maintenance of Public Order (3-MPO), and placement on the Fourth Schedule. This reflects a broader strategy where the state uses legal frameworks to justify and extend its repression.
6. Law as a Weapon
Amendments to the Anti-Terrorism Act by the Balochistan Assembly in 2025 have granted sweeping new powers to state institutions. Individuals can now be detained for up to three months without charges. Military officers have also been added to oversight boards, compromising the principle of impartial justice. These legal changes are increasingly being used to target human rights defenders, journalists, students, and ordinary citizens.
