Arrest of Baloch activists sparks nationwide protests in Pakistan; what we know so far

Protests erupt across Pakistan after Baloch activist Mahrang Baloch’s arrest

Nationwide protests have erupted across Pakistan following the arrest of prominent Baloch human rights activist Mahrang Baloch among others, reports CNN-News18. Protesters are demanding the immediate release of activists and an end to enforced disappearances in Balochistan.

Protests erupted across Balochistan on March 27, as demonstrators voiced their anger over ongoing state crackdowns and systemic oppression in the region. The protesters marked the day as 'Black Day,' reflecting their widespread outrage against the government's actions.

Outrage against the government erupted in various regions of Sindh and Balochistan, including Quetta, Karachi, and Gwadar.

United Nations experts have also urged Pakistan to immediately release detained Baloch human rights defenders and end its crackdown on peaceful protesters, according to a statement from the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders.

What happened in Balochistan? 

A violent police crackdown took place in Quetta, Pakistan on March 21, the security forces used tear gas and live ammunition against demonstrators protesting forced disappearances. At least three people, including a 12-year-old girl, were killed in the assault.

On March 22, Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leader Mahrang Baloch and 16 others were arrested while protesting against the killings.

On March 24, Sammi Deen Baloch, a prominent female human rights defender of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee, was arrested in Karachi during a protest against the ongoing crackdown.

Who is Mahrang Baloch? 

Mahrang Baloch is a trained medical doctor and an activist who is raising voice for the Baloch rights after her very own family became victims of state atrocities.

Dr. Mahrang, daughter of Abdul Ghaffar Baloch, who went missing in 2009 and was later found dead with signs of torture, and sister of Abdul Qadeer Baloch, forcibly disappeared in 2017, continues to fight for justice despite her personal loss.

She co-founded the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), advocating against enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings. BYC is a human rights movement established to fight against state led atrocities done on Balochistan.