UN Official Raises Alarm Over Human Rights Crisis in Balochistan

Mary Lawlor, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders, has raised alarms about the alleged harassment and criminalization attempts targeting women's rights activist Dr Sabiha Baloch and her family. According to Lawlor, these actions, reportedly linked to state authorities, appear aimed at undermining peaceful human rights advocacy.

Lawlor described the intimidation and legal pressure against such activists as intolerable and urged immediate cessation. As reported by The Balochistan Post, Pakistani authorities have yet to respond. In a related address to the 61st session of UNHRC, Dr Shalee Baloch of the Baloch Women Forum expressed deep concerns about the unchecked human rights violations in the region.

Dr Baloch detailed how calls for justice by Baloch activists have been consistently ignored. She painted a grim picture of a 'serious and ongoing human rights crisis' where affected families remain trapped in uncertainty due to a lack of credible investigations. Her statement on social media sought international recognition and decisive action.

Pressing for global media to report objectively, Dr Baloch emphasized engaging with local communities unimpeded by external biases. She called for a collective response to uphold justice and human dignity, underscoring the necessity of principled efforts in tackling the crisis.