Pakistan's Foreign Office on Thursday lashed out at the United Nations (UN) human rights experts' demand for the release of Baloch rights activists, calling it "selective criticism." The government argued that it would not allow people associated with "terrorism and their facilitators."
The statement is in reaction to a March 21 event, when Quetta Police violently dispersed a peaceful protest organized by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) outside the University of Balochistan. The protesters were calling for the release of arrested and forcibly disappeared activists. The police action left three dead, several injured, and many protestors arrested.
Human rights activist and BYC leader Mahrang Baloch countered by holding a sit-in with the dead bodies of the victims of the crackdown, emphasizing the excessive use of force by the police. Law enforcement officials, however, broke up the protest on March 22 on Quetta's Sariab Road, arresting Mahrang Baloch and some members of the BYC. Police allegedly used batons and tear gas to break up the protest.
Mahrang's whereabouts were unknown for almost 12 hours, and she was allegedly kept from her family and legal counsel. She and several BYC members now face charges under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
Two days after that, on March 24, Karachi Police detained another senior BYC member, Sammi Deen Baloch, and others when they marched outside the Karachi Press Club to protest the government crackdown. Officials allegedly directed her to be detained for 30 days under the Sindh Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance.
In the wake of these incidents, UN human rights specialists on Wednesday called on Pakistan to free the arrested Baloch activists and end the crackdown on peaceful protests. Showing grave concern for the well-being of BYC leaders Mahrang Baloch, Sammi Deen Baloch, and other human rights activists, the specialists referred to a disturbing increase in police crackdowns on the BYC, which campaigns for the rights of the Baloch minority.
A statement released by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) observed that the situation has escalated since a large-scale attack by Baloch separatists on a passenger train on March 11. After the attack, some key BYC activists were reportedly arrested by Pakistan's Counter-Terrorism Department or subjected to enforced disappearances.
"We have been closely following reports of alleged arrests and enforced disappearances of Baloch activists in recent months. The recent violent episodes only reinforced our anxieties," UN experts said.
"We are seriously concerned about the safety of Mahrang Baloch, Sammi Deen Baloch, and other human rights defenders who have been arrested for exercising their right to peaceful protest. We call on Pakistani authorities to release them at once and to desist from abusing counter-terrorism legislation against human rights defenders. We also demand to know the fate and whereabouts of those allegedly subjected to enforced disappearances," they said.
Besides, the UN experts called on the government of Pakistan to eliminate the causes of terrorism in compliance with the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. They also affirmed that negotiations were being held with Pakistani authorities for their concerns.
Reacting to the UN statement, Pakistan's Foreign Office called the allegations as being on "selective and unverified media reports." Foreign Ministry spokesman Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan contended that an objective evaluation must take into consideration that the people in question were not just protestors but were part of a larger movement of "lawlessness and violence."
"There must be no tolerance, certainly no impunity, for terrorists, their helpers, or abettors. Their abuse of human rights and misuse of law cannot be ignored," Khan averred.
The Foreign Office again asserted that Pakistan is dedicated to the safety of its people, especially in areas hit by "foreign-sponsored terrorism." It underscored that the government continues to be engaged in economic and social development for all segments of society while pursuing legal action in accordance with international law. Pakistan again asserted that incitement to terrorism and violence is strictly prohibited under international law.
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