Geneva, March 27 — Speaking at the United Nations Human Rights Council, Baloch rights campaigner Fateh Baloch warned of a worsening human rights situation in Balochistan, accusing Pakistani authorities of systemic repression carried out under the guise of security. His remarks, reported by The Balochistan Post via ANI, called attention to widespread practices he said target communities rather than individual suspects.
Fateh Baloch alleged an increasing use of collective punishment to silence dissent, arguing that broad counter‑terrorism and public‑order powers have normalized arbitrary detention, intrusive surveillance, and severe restrictions on movement. He said these measures are frequently applied not simply for crime control but to suppress political opposition and deter civic participation.
He described a pattern of harassment that includes the demolition of political workers’ homes, repeated raids, and prolonged military deployments in civilian areas. According to his testimony, those operations have disrupted livelihoods, education and everyday life across affected communities.
A central concern raised was the issue of enforced disappearances. Fateh Baloch said families of missing persons often face intimidation rather than transparency or legal redress, and he highlighted the emotional and psychological toll on relatives seeking answers.
He also painted an atmosphere of fear in which journalists are pressured into silence, students are discouraged from dissent, and women who take part in peaceful protests face surveillance and threats. Invoking international legal standards, he argued that security imperatives do not justify collective penalties and called for due process and individual accountability.
Fateh Baloch urged the Human Rights Council to press Pakistan to end these practices, allow independent investigations, and uphold fundamental rights. Pakistani authorities have not responded to the allegations, the report said.
