Gawadar, Balochistan: The Baloch Women Forum (BWF) has strongly condemned the arrest and expulsion of its leaders and members from Gawadar, calling the state’s actions a reflection of growing authoritarianism and suppression of peaceful political voices in Balochistan.
In a statement issued by the group’s spokesperson, the BWF revealed that its planned conference titled “Crackdown on Baloch Political Institutions and the Current Political Landscape in Balochistan” had to be canceled due to state pressure, arrests, and forced removals. The event, which had been in preparation for weeks, aimed to highlight the ongoing political repression in the region, especially the silencing of Baloch women.
According to BWF, central leaders and other female organizers were detained without legal notice by Gawadar police days before the conference and were forcibly relocated to Turbat. During custody, they were reportedly subjected to inhumane treatment and harsh interrogations regarding their political affiliations, views, and the objectives of the conference.
The spokesperson stated that the women were denied access to legal counsel, prevented from contacting family, and threatened with further consequences if they continued their activism. Some were also intimidated using their personal social media activity, with authorities labeling them “anti-state.”
Following their detention in Gawadar, the women were moved to a police station in Turbat, where they faced renewed pressure to cancel the event. The entire process, BWF claims, was conducted without due process and amounted to psychological and moral coercion.
BWF emphasized that this repression is not just against one organization but represents a broader campaign to silence every voice in Balochistan that dares to speak of truth, justice, and rights, particularly when those voices are women’s.
They highlighted that the forum is a peaceful and non-violent platform committed to raising awareness on enforced disappearances, women’s rights, and state repression, all within a constitutional and democratic framework.
The BWF called on national and international human rights organizations, civil society, and the media to raise their voices against the systematic suppression of peaceful political activity in Balochistan. The BWF demands:
- An immediate end to the ban on political and civil activities in Gawadar and other parts of Balochistan.
- Protection of women from harassment, arbitrary arrests, and intimidation.
- Guarantee of basic constitutional rights such as freedom of speech, political participation, and assembly.
