Police baton charge, arrest Baloch long march protesters in Islamabad

Amnesty, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan condemn state's 'inexcusable' treatment of Baloch protesters

ISLAMABAD:

Police in various areas of the federal capital apprehended numerous Baloch long march protesters after using water canons and baton charges to break the protest against enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings early on Wednesday. 

Social media footage showed security forces using water cannons and tear gas, as well as forcibly loading Baloch protesters into police vehicles.

A day earlier, the Baloch Yekjehti Committee (BYC) members and other protesters were stopped from entering Islamabad. The long march was started against the alleged extrajudicial killing of Balach Baloch.

The Islamabad police blocked entry points of the city to prevent the protesters from reaching the National Press Club. The protest aimed to voice resentment until concrete action was taken against those implicated in the killing of Baloch.

The protesters, accuse the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) of unjustly branding Balach Baloch a terrorist and carrying out his cold-blooded killing. The CTD vehemently denies these allegations, asserting that the incident resulted from an armed clash between "miscreants" and security forces in the Pasni road area of Turbat.

Visuals from Islamabad, where the Police is using water canons, tear gas and batons against Baloch protestors. Scores have been injured and arrested. pic.twitter.com/juO1yBsJci

— The Balochistan Post - English (@TBPEnglish) December 20, 2023

The leader of the BYC, Mahrang Baloch, and other women were also arrested by the police and were taken to the Ramna Police Station reportedly.

Mahrang Baloch said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that the protesters were “unable to connect to our male fellows we fear that the state will abduct them”.

She also highlighted the violent police behaviour stating that they are “being treated worse than animals. Will the world raise its voice for us against this barbarism?”

#MarchAgainstBalochGenocide is under attack by the Islamabad police. Many of our youth have been arrested, & many have been injured by tear gas shelling and violence. Right now, we are being treated worse than animals. Will the world raise its voice for us against this barbarism? pic.twitter.com/AYhRPW0K9S

— Mahrang Baloch (@MahrangBaloch_) December 20, 2023

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan criticised the police crackdown and urgently called "on the government to organise a delegation to meet the protesters and give their legitimate demands a fair hearing”.

“This treatment of Baloch citizens exercising their constitutional right to peaceful assembly is inexcusable. It also reflects how little the state thinks of the protesters’ demand that their right to life and liberty be upheld.”.

HRCP strongly condemns the violent police crackdown on Baloch protestors in Islamabad, with women, children and the elderly subjected to unwarranted force in the form of water cannons and use of batons. Numerous women protestors have reportedly been arrested and separated from…

— Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (@HRCP87) December 21, 2023

Amnesty International, in a separate statement, said it was concerned by the "excessive use of force by law enforcement against the Baloch long march protestors".

"Dozens have been detained and several others injured, including women, minors and elderly persons, violating their rights to liberty, security and protest."

Pakistan: @amnesty is deeply concerned by the excessive use of force by law enforcement against the Baloch Long March protestors in Islamabad on 21 December. Amnesty has reviewed videos showing water cannons, tear gas and batons being used against the protestors. Dozens have been…

— Amnesty International South Asia, Regional Office (@amnestysasia) December 21, 2023

The international human rights organisation demanded that the authorities immediately release all the protesters and drop any charges brought against them for "solely exercising their right to freedom of expression and right to protest".

Amnesty further urged the government to conduct an impartial investigation of all "extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances, particularly in Balochistan". The organisation further demanded compensation for the affected families.