International Desk: In a damning indictment at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), Baloch human rights activist Fateh Baloch tore into Pakistan’s conduct in Balochistan, accusing the state of orchestrating a ruthless campaign of repression under the guise of security operations.
Addressing the international forum, he exposed what he described as Pakistan’s escalating use of “collective punishment” — a tactic that, he argued, indiscriminately targets entire communities to crush dissent. Citing findings reported by The Balochistan Post, he warned that Islamabad’s actions raise grave questions about legality, proportionality, and blatant disregard for international norms.
He alleged that draconian counter-terrorism and public order laws have effectively become tools of oppression, enabling arbitrary detentions, invasive surveillance, and severe restrictions on civilian movement. These measures, he asserted, are no longer about security but about silencing political opposition and suffocating democratic expression.
The activist painted a grim picture on the ground, claiming that homes of political activists are being bulldozed and their families subjected to relentless harassment. He highlighted ongoing military operations marked by raids in civilian areas and prolonged troop deployments, which have devastated livelihoods, disrupted education, and paralysed daily life. According to him, the intensification of such crackdowns in recent months has plunged the region deeper into fear and uncertainty.
One of the most alarming allegations centred on the continuing crisis of enforced disappearances. He accused authorities of abducting individuals with impunity, while their families are intimidated into silence rather than given answers or justice — leaving behind deep psychological scars and a climate of terror.
He further described a suffocating environment where journalists are coerced into silence, students are discouraged from voicing dissent, and even women participating in peaceful protests face surveillance and threats, as highlighted by The Balochistan Post.
Invoking international law, he firmly stated that no security justification can legitimise collective punishment, stressing the urgent need for due process and accountability. In a direct appeal to the global community, he urged the Council to hold Pakistan accountable, demand an immediate end to such abuses, allow independent investigations, and ensure the protection of fundamental human rights.
Notably, as per The Balochistan Post, Pakistani authorities have so far remained silent on these serious allegations — a silence critics say only deepens concerns over the situation in Balochistan.
