Pakistan

Activist Karima Baloch found dead in Canada

Amnesty International calls for probe into 37-year-old's disappearance, death

Social Desk December 22, 2020

Baloch human rights activist Karima Baloch was found dead in Canada's Toronto on Monday night.

Police say she was last seen in the Bay Street, Queens Quay West area of the city at 3pm on December 20. Her family then proceeded to file a missing person complaint at the police station.

MISSING:
Karima Mehrab, 37
- last seen on Dec 20, in the Bay St + Queens Quay W area
- 5'3", 115 lbs., black long hair, brown eyes
- wearing black jeans, grey hooded Roots sweatshirt, black Canada Goose winter jacket, black Doc Martin boots#GO2394980
^ep2 pic.twitter.com/i78dK2TLbR
— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) December 21, 2020

Authorities had circulated Baloch’s pictures and details of her appearance on their website and appealed people reach out if they had any information.

Her family announced on Monday night that the 37-year-old had been found dead.

However, details regarding her disappearance and subsequent death have yet to be released.

She was living in exile in Toronto and campaigned extensively against disappearances and human rights violations in Balochistan.

Back in 2016, she was named on BBC’s list of 100 inspirational women. At the age of 30, Baloch was the first woman to become the leader of the Balochistan Student Organisation.

She then moved to Canada after seeking asylum.

In 2015, terrorism charges were filed against her with her family claiming that she was at receiving end of death threats.

PAKISTAN: The death of activist #KarimaBaloch in Toronto, Canada is deeply shocking and must be immediately and effectively investigated. The perpetrators must be brought to justice without recourse to the death penalty.
— Amnesty International South Asia (@amnestysasia) December 22, 2020

“The death of activist Karima Baloch in Toronto, Canada is deeply shocking and must be immediately and effectively investigated. The perpetrators must be brought to justice without recourse to the death penalty,” Amnesty International South Asia said in a tweet.