Amnesty International strongly condemns the arrest and detention of over 20 participants in the Baloch march against "Baloch Genocide" in Dera Ghazi Khan, Punjab, on December 17. The protestors, including women and families of forcibly disappeared individuals, initiated a peaceful sit-in and a subsequent long march from Balochistan to Islamabad, triggered by the extrajudicial killing of Balach Mola Bakhsh and three others by Pakistan's Counter-terrorism Department (CTD) on November 23, 2023.
🇵🇰 Pakistan: @Amnesty strongly condemns the arrest and detention of at least 20 participants of the Baloch march on 17 December in Dera Ghazi Khan, Punjab.
— Amnesty International South Asia, Regional Office (@amnestysasia) December 18, 2023
The protestors, many of them women and families of the forcibly disappeared, peacefully held a sit-in and, subsequently,…
Balach, a 24-year-old Baloch man, was executed while in CTD custody on remand after being taken into law enforcement custody on October 29. Although the protestors have been released, three separate legal cases have been filed against organizers and participants. Amnesty International demands the immediate and unconditional dropping of all charges against those arrested for exercising their right to freedom of expression.
The human rights organization further calls on Pakistani authorities to conduct an impartial investigation into all cases of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances, especially in Balochistan, adhering to international standards. Additionally, Amnesty International advocates for the compensation of families affected by extrajudicial killings and forced disappearances.
Amnesty International Condemns Arrests in Baloch March
Date and Location: On December 17 in Dera Ghazi Khan, Punjab, at least 20 participants in the "Baloch Genocide" march were arrested, prompting strong condemnation from Amnesty International.
Nature of Protest: The march, initiated by women and families of disappeared individuals, began peacefully with a sit-in and aimed to travel from Balochistan to Islamabad, demanding justice and accountability.
Triggering Incident: Amnesty highlighted the extrajudicial killing of 24-year-old Baloch man Balach Mola Bakhsh and three others by Pakistan's Counter-terrorism Department in Turbat, Balochistan, on November 23, 2023. Balach was in custody on remand and was extrajudicially executed after being taken into law enforcement custody on October 29.
Legal Consequences: Although the protestors have been released, organizers and participants face three separate legal cases, as pointed out by Amnesty International.
Amnesty's Demands: Amnesty calls on Pakistani authorities to immediately drop all charges against those arrested solely for exercising their freedom of expression. They further demand an impartial investigation into extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances, particularly in Balochistan, in line with international standards. Additionally, Amnesty urges compensation for families affected by extrajudicial killings and forced disappearances.
Call to Action: the Amnesty International South Asia, Regional Office on social media shared the statement, raising awareness and advocating for justice in the face of human rights violations in Pakistan.
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