The Baloch Women Forum highlighted the grave issue of enforced disappearances in Balochistan during an interactive session with the United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances (WGEID). Families from various districts of Balochistan participated in the session and expressed concerns regarding the safety, health and basic human rights of their loved ones who remain unlawfully detained in state prisons.
In a statement, the Baloch Women Forum said: “We have always maintained a clear stance against enforced disappearances in Balochistan. We believe that every human being is entitled to basic rights, which in the case of the Baloch, are being violated—particularly through enforced and unlawful detentions. The purpose of this session was to directly present the families’ concerns before the UN Working Group.”
During the one-day session, families from different districts spoke directly with the group and their testimonies were heard by its members. At the conclusion of the session, Dr. Shalee Baloch, a key leader of the Baloch Women Forum, addressed both the families and the Working Group, shedding light on the broader issue of enforced disappearances—from ordinary citizens to political activists being targeted.
She added: “We are grateful to the UN Working Group for taking note of the complaints regarding enforced disappearances in Balochistan and for giving us their valuable time. Families who have knocked on every door within Pakistan are now reaching out to international institutions in the hope of ending enforced disappearances and seeking justice for their loved ones.”
