Why Are Human Rights Groups Condemning Pakistan Over Rising Enforced Disappearances in Balochistan?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Increased enforced disappearances in Balochistan raised global concerns.
- The Baloch National Movement highlights the plight of victims.
- International intervention is critical to address human rights violations.
- State-sponsored violence against civilians remains prevalent.
- The call for accountability from Pakistan is urgent.
Quetta, July 25 (NationPress) Amid the ongoing persecution of Baloch civilians, Majid Baloch has been forcibly disappeared by death squads aligned with Pakistan, as reported by a prominent human rights organization on Friday. This alarming trend of enforced disappearances in Balochistan persists.
The Baloch National Movement's Human Rights Department, Paank, revealed that Majid is the younger sibling of Haatir Baloch, who was also abducted from their home on June 3 under similar circumstances, with no information on his current location.
“The Baloch family originally comes from Gadagi, a village in the Balgatar region, which they were forced to leave due to relentless military operations and state pressure. Despite their displacement, they continue to face targeting and harassment, suffering repeated trauma and insecurity,” stated the human rights group.
Furthermore, Paank condemned the unfair detention of Shalee Baloch, an organizer for the Baloch Women Forum, and her colleagues by Gwadar police. They were peacefully conducting an awareness campaign in Surbandar for an event set for July 27 at the Gwadar Press Club. This unlawful act is yet another attempt to silence the voices of Baloch women and civil society, according to the rights group.
Additionally, the organization emphasized that Pakistan's offenses against Baloch youth are ongoing, with three individuals forcibly disappeared by Pakistani forces in various regions of Balochistan between July 20 and July 23.
The victims include Shoaib Baloch, abducted on July 20 in Panjgur District, Dil Jaan on July 22 from Minaz Tehsil Buleda in Kech, and Qamber Noor, who was taken on July 23 from his shop in the Jusak area of Turbat in Kech district.
Paank vehemently condemned “this persistent policy of enforced disappearances and systemic repression in Balochistan.”
“The assault on civilians, especially youth, by state forces and their affiliated death squads constitutes a serious infringement of human rights and international law,” the rights body remarked.
Paank urged international human rights organizations and the United Nations to step in and hold Pakistan responsible for its systematic campaign of enforced disappearances and repression in Balochistan.