Quetta, June 24 (IANS). Many areas of Balochistan were completely closed on Wednesday in protest against the life imprisonment of Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leader Mahrang Baloch and activists. The protesters described the decision as ‘unjust’.
The protests began on Monday after an anti-terrorism court in Pakistan sentenced four activists to life imprisonment. According to local media, the case was related to the murder of a Frontier Corps officer.
Apart from Mahrang Baloch, the court also sentenced Baloch Students Organization (BSO) president Baloch Qadir, central leader Abu Bakar Kalanchi and BYC leader Sibgatullah Shah to life imprisonment.
Sharing pictures of the complete strike in different parts of Balochistan on its social media platform ‘X’ account, BYC said, “This strike reflects the collective anger of the people against repression, political vendetta and misuse of judicial process. People from different sections showed their solidarity and sent a clear message that Balochistan will stand against injustice and suppression of democratic voices.”
BYC criticized the verdict, saying the state side made ‘false and baseless’ allegations against the leaders and the entire trial lacked the required ‘judicial transparency’.
The organization said, “The closed-door hearing inside Quetta jail, which is being called a ‘faceless trial’, is considered an attempt to suppress the political voices of Balochistan. The Constitution and the law are being used to suppress political opposition instead of providing impartial justice. The people of Balochistan do not accept this injustice done to their leaders and are standing strong.”
Meanwhile, several major human rights organizations also criticized the decision, calling it ‘against the right to a fair trial’ and a ‘blatant violation of justice’.
Commenting on the life sentences handed down to activists including Mahrang Baloch, Amnesty International’s acting regional director for South Asia, Isabelle Lassie, said, “This verdict goes against the right to a fair trial. It shows that Pakistan’s anti-terrorism laws are being used to suppress voices of peaceful protest.”
He said that this sentence was given after a fast secret trial held in the prison premises, at which serious questions were raised about fair trial and legal process at the international level. He also said that no direct evidence was presented linking Mahrang and Shah to the alleged violence.
The International Human Rights Foundation (IHRF) also strongly criticized the decision and said that ‘this is not justice, but the justice system is being used to suppress political opposition and intimidate human rights activists.’
The organization said, “This decision is a major blow to the rule of law in Pakistan. BYC leader Dr Baloch has been raising the voice of the Baloch people and campaigning against enforced disappearances, killings without legal process and state repression. Her only ‘crime’ is exposing serious human rights violations.”
–IANS
AY/DKP