Quetta, March 18 (NationPress) The human rights organization Baloch Yakjehti Committee convened a seminar in Karachi to shed light on the alarming human rights conditions in Balochistan, particularly focusing on the 'arbitrary detention' of its chief organizer, Mahrang Baloch, along with several other leaders.

The event was a part of the BYC's month-long campaign aimed at raising awareness about the ongoing suppression of independent voices, the misuse of legal mechanisms to stifle democratic activism, and the pervasive pattern of systemic repression in Balochistan.

This initiative sought to elevate the voices of affected families, enhance public consciousness, and galvanize collective action towards achieving justice, accountability, and safeguarding fundamental rights.

During the seminar, participants gathered to discuss the neglected human rights crisis in Balochistan. Attendees highlighted the systematic curtailment of peaceful political activities, noting that it has been a year since the leadership of the BYC was detained, further exacerbating the decline of democratic freedoms in the region.

“The discussions underscored the profound human toll of these policies, especially the suffering experienced by families of the forcibly disappeared and those grappling with uncertainty and shared trauma. The ongoing and unlawful detention of leaders such as Mahrang, Bebarg Baloch, Sibghatullah Shah Ji, Gulzadi Baloch, and Bebow Baloch were emphasized as glaring examples of the obstacles faced by individuals peacefully advocating for their constitutional and human rights,” stated the BYC.

The seminar marked a pivotal moment in maintaining the campaign's momentum, reinforcing a collective commitment to peaceful advocacy.

Participants reiterated that the release of detained leaders and the restoration of political freedoms are essential rights, and the organization pledged to persist in its fight for these causes.

Earlier on Tuesday, the BYC expressed grave concerns regarding the ongoing detainment and trials of its leaders, including Mahrang Baloch, who remain in custody for nearly a year, facing numerous fabricated charges in the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Quetta.

The BYC noted that the detainees voiced their apprehensions on record before the court on February 7 and expressed a lack of trust in the presiding judge. The organization reiterated that access to a fair, transparent, and impartial judicial process is a fundamental right enshrined in the constitution.

The BYC called upon Pakistani judicial authorities, the legal community, and the Balochistan Bar Council to take these issues seriously and ensure that the concerns raised by the detainees are addressed in accordance with the law.