Sat, 03 Oct 2026 01:01:36 -0700WeeblySun, 09 Aug 2026 23:49:17 GMThttps://www.balochitvonline.com/human-rights/august-09th-2026A kangaroo court in Pakistan has sentenced Baloch Yakjehti Committee political leader Gulzadi Baloch to life imprisonment. I do not view this verdict merely as a sentence; I regard it as another example of the continuing mockery of justice in Balochistan and the ongoing suppression of peaceful political voices.

In a trial where a witness is cross-examined in the absence of defence counsel, where the defence is not given a full opportunity to present its case effectively, and where a judge carries out predetermined orders in the absence of the accused and her lawyers, questions naturally arise about the court’s conduct, the pressure upon it, and its impartiality. Under such circumstances, we have every right to ask: can this conduct by the courts truly be considered justice?
 
Gulzadi Baloch is not an unknown figure. She is our colleague and part of our struggle. She may be sentenced to life imprisonment in an attempt to silence her, but our voices against the injustice inflicted upon her cannot be imprisoned. Gulzadi’s sentence demonstrates the extent of the pressure and repression confronting peaceful political struggle in Balochistan today.
 
The repression of our colleagues is not limited to imprisonment and legal cases. Nazar Marri Baloch, an active member of our organisation, has also been forcibly disappeared for the past year. The question is: how can Balochistan’s political problem be resolved by imprisoning and forcibly disappearing peaceful political activists?
 
My question to those who lecture us about negotiations is this: when our colleagues are imprisoned, their right to a defence and other legal rights are restricted, and pressure is exerted upon them to abandon their political struggle, then on what basis can negotiations take place? Negotiations cannot be conducted with a knife held to one’s throat. That is merely an attempt to impose silence by force.
 
The criminal treatment being inflicted upon the Baloch Yakjehti Committee today is a brutal example of the continuing repression by state institutions against peaceful struggle in Balochistan. During the so-called negotiation process, despite the continuing bloodshed and relentless repression in Balochistan, the authorities adopted pressure, obstinacy, and intimidation instead of understanding, seriousness, and good faith.
 
In the name of negotiations, we were repeatedly pressured to abandon our peaceful political struggle. We were told: “All the judges are in our hands, and any petition you submit carries no weight.” Despite these circumstances, we chose the path of reasoned argument and political courage, which forms part of our fundamental political training. We belong to a political organisation that struggles for the fundamental rights of the people of Balochistan, and we have never refused dialogue or negotiations concerning our people’s rights.
 
Even during this period of repression, our organisation submitted its annual report on missing persons to the Home Department of Balochistan. This is clear evidence that we are a responsible organisation.
 
However, we have never accepted—and will never accept—political engineering conducted in the name of negotiations. The BYC represents the Baloch people and is a trust placed in our hands by them. Our struggle is not for any individual or official position; it is for the fundamental rights of our people and for justice.
 
After we refused their demands, a four-member military negotiation team told us: “The decision has been made that you will remain in prison until you agree to our terms.” We were also told that the judge had been given the same instructions. We were offered the release of one person if we accepted their demands. That person would then go outside and implement their instructions, after which the remaining detainees would also be released. We were additionally offered the opportunity to settle in Europe for two or three years. We rejected all these proposals because our struggle is not for temporary concessions, privileges, or personal benefit.
 
We made it clear that we would neither become part of a selected parliament that represents military forces rather than the people, nor leave Balochistan to seek refuge in another country. Our choice is the people of Balochistan, and our path is the struggle for their fundamental democratic rights. If imprisonment is the price of this struggle, we will pay that price—and we will continue our political struggle even from prison.
 
We want to convey a clear message to all these institutions: you cannot resolve Balochistan’s political problem through force. Despite imprisoning BYC leaders and forcibly disappearing its activists, you have failed to establish peace in Balochistan.
 
We regard the sentences handed down by your kangaroo courts as a badge of honour for ourselves and our organisation. Despite all your resources, legal cases, imprisonment, and propaganda, you have been unable to break the determination of our colleagues. We will not bargain away the trust of our nation. For us, our national ideals, political principles, and loyalty to our people are more important than any personal benefit.
 
Our sentences and imprisonment cannot break the spirit of our nation. Whenever we are released from this imprisonment, you will find us standing alongside the families of forcibly disappeared persons, the families of our national martyrs, and all the oppressed people of Balochistan who have made sacrifices for their rights—continuing the struggle for justice.
 
Dr. Mahrang Baloch
Huda Jail, Quetta
22 September 2026

]]>Sun, 09 Aug 2026 22:17:18 GMThttps://www.balochitvonline.com/human-rights/systematic-resource-deprivation-in-irans-sistan-amd-balochistanFor decades, residents of Iran's Sistan and Baluchestan Province have faced chronic poverty and underdevelopment amid allegations of systematic resource deprivation. Many Baloch families reportedly lack access to clean drinking water, adequate housing, healthcare, education, and essential civil documentation, limiting their ability to obtain basic public services.
Critics argue that these conditions disproportionately affect the Baloch population, an ethnic and predominantly Sunni Muslim minority in Iran. They contend that long-standing economic marginalization, limited infrastructure investment, and unequal access to public resources have contributed to social unrest and growing grievances across the region.]]>Sat, 08 Aug 2026 16:41:52 GMThttps://www.balochitvonline.com/human-rights/un-experts-urge-iran-to-end-alleged-targeting-of-baloch-and-kurdish-minorities​GENEVA, August 6, 2026 — United Nations human rights experts have urged Iran to end what they described as escalating arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, torture and executions targeting ethnic minorities, particularly Baloch and Kurdish communities.

According to the experts, at least 24 Baloch and 22 Kurdish individuals have been executed so far this year, while many others are reportedly at imminent risk of execution.

“Iran’s ethnic minorities must be able to live in safety and dignity, free from discrimination,” the experts said.

They warned that minorities continue to be targeted during periods of political and social unrest through narratives portraying them as threats to national security. They also raised concerns about alleged threats and surveillance against Baloch and Kurdish individuals living outside Iran.

The experts reported a significant increase in arbitrary arrests and what they described as politically motivated sentences, often involving broadly defined national security charges.

Iranian authorities have rejected allegations surrounding their security measures and attributed recent violence to “terrorist acts” allegedly orchestrated by the United States and Israel.

The UN experts called on Iran to end discriminatory practices and ensure the fundamental rights, safety and dignity of ethnic minorities.

Source: AFP / UN Human Rights Experts]]>Wed, 05 Aug 2026 21:16:11 GMThttps://www.balochitvonline.com/human-rights/seven-baloch-students-from-the-university-of-karachi-allegedly-subjected-to-enforced-disappearance​According to local media outlet Balochistan Now, at approximately 2:00 a.m. on August 5, personnel from law enforcement agencies and the Pakistan Rangers (Sindh)—a federal paramilitary force—reportedly conducted a raid on an apartment in Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Karachi.

During the operation, five students of the University of Karachi—Azhar Baloch, Ghaus Bakhsh Baloch, Shehzad Baloch, Anees Baloch, and Waseem Baloch—were allegedly taken into custody and subsequently subjected to enforced disappearance. Their personal belongings were also reportedly confiscated. To date, no official information has been released regarding their whereabouts or legal status.

Earlier, Khalil Baloch, an MPhil student at the University of Karachi, and Zubair Baloch, a resident of Hub, were also reportedly subjected to enforced disappearance.

Reports indicate that cases of enforced disappearances of Baloch students continue to be documented across Balochistan, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Sindh. Human rights organizations and student bodies allege that many of these individuals are detained by law enforcement and intelligence agencies without due legal process.

According to monthly reports issued by the Human Rights Council of Balochistan (HRCB), students remain among the primary groups affected by enforced disappearances. Families of missing students have, in many cases, maintained long-standing protest camps, including outside the Quetta Press Club, demanding information about their loved ones and their safe return.

#SaveBalochStudents
#EndEnforcedDisappearances]]>