Islamabad: The sit-in by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leaders and families of victims of enforced disappearance entered its 22nd consecutive day today. Protesters from Balochistan, including a large number of women and children, have continued their peaceful demonstration despite extreme heat, rain and state pressure.
Throughout the 22 days, protesters have not been allowed to set up a proper protest camp. Authorities have also kept the road leading to the National Press Club blocked, depriving the victims of a key platform to raise their voices. Demonstrators have been forced to sit by the roadside under constant surveillance, harassment and intimidation.
State institutions have denied them the right to peaceful protest. Instead of addressing their legitimate demands, authorities have focused on monitoring and profiling participants, creating an atmosphere of fear.
Today, Sammi Deen Baloch, daughter of long-missing Dr. Deen Mohammad Baloch and a central leader of BYC, joined the sit-in.
The protesters remain firm on two key demands:
- Immediate release of all BYC leaders who have been forcibly disappeared.
- An end to enforced disappearances in Balochistan.
The demonstrators have called on human rights organizations, media outlets and civil society to amplify their voices and stand with them against state repression.
