Quetta, Nov 5 (NationPress) The human rights organization Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) has condemned the Pakistani government for categorizing Baloch political activists and human rights advocates from all over Balochistan under the Fourth Schedule of Pakistan's Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA). The committee views this action as a means to suppress the Baloch people's struggle for their rights through coercive measures.

“This initiative not only breaches legal norms but signifies a perilous trend aimed at stifling peaceful political expression, silencing legitimate dissent, and criminalizing those advocating for human rights, justice, and political liberties,” stated the BYC in their announcement.

“Numerous Baloch political and human rights activists, including members of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee, have been unjustly placed on the Fourth Schedule without any transparent legal processes, evidential backing, or equitable judicial reviews. Moreover, new names of political activists continue to be added to this list incessantly,” the statement elaborated.

The rights organization disclosed that 64 individuals from the Hub area of Balochistan were included in this list, comprising political and human rights activists, students, and social advocates.

“This procedure constitutes a blatant violation of constitutional and fundamental human rights, especially the rights to justice, free speech, political assembly, and freedom of movement, which are enshrined in international human rights legislation. The misuse of anti-terrorism laws for political leverage epitomizes the gravest form of state oppression,” asserted the BYC.

The organization called on Pakistan to promptly eliminate the names of all individuals, including political and human rights advocates, from the Fourth Schedule and cease the practice of stifling democratic political movements and exploiting anti-terrorism laws for political gain.

Recently, various human rights organizations vociferously condemned the Balochistan government's resolution to include three peaceful Baloch women activists in the Fourth Schedule of the ATA.

The notification, released on October 16 by the Balochistan Home Department, accused Shalee Baloch, the Central Organiser of the Baloch Women Forum (BWF), alongside Naz Gul and Syed Bibi from the Baloch Yakjehti Committee, of facilitating and being involved in activities linked to “terrorism,” thus categorizing them under the ATA.

This decision has led to widespread denunciation from human rights organizations and activists globally, criticizing the ongoing persecution of Baloch activists by Pakistani authorities.