Geneva [Switzerland], March 27 (ANI): A Baloch human rights advocate, Fateh Baloch, warned the United Nations Human Rights Council of a deteriorating human rights situation in Balochistan, accusing Pakistani authorities of systemic repression carried out in the name of security.
Speaking to the Council, he criticised what he described as the growing use of collective punishment to stifle dissent, alleging that state actions increasingly target communities rather than individuals and raising questions about legality and proportionality, according to The Balochistan Post.
He said sweeping powers under counter-terrorism and public order laws have normalised arbitrary detention, intrusive surveillance, and restrictions on movement. These measures, he argued, are being used not merely for law enforcement but to suppress political opposition and deter civic engagement.
Fateh Baloch also claimed that homes of political workers have been demolished and families subjected to harassment. He pointed to intensified security operations, including raids and prolonged military deployments in civilian areas, which he said have disrupted livelihoods, education, and daily life.
A central concern he raised was enforced disappearances. He said families of missing persons often face intimidation instead of transparency or justice and highlighted the emotional and psychological toll on those families. He described an atmosphere of fear in which journalists are pressured into silence, students are discouraged from dissent, and women taking part in peaceful protests face surveillance and threats, as reported by The Balochistan Post.
Invoking international legal standards, he asserted that security concerns do not justify collective penalties and stressed the need for due process and individual accountability. He urged the Council to press Pakistan to stop such practices, permit independent investigations, and uphold fundamental rights. Pakistani authorities have not responded to these allegations, the report said. (ANI)
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