Detained Baloch protesters being released after bail approval: Islamabad police

Concerns rise over 'missing' status of over 100 Baloch students

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad police on Sunday said that detained Baloch protesters, who were taken into custody during a crackdown on demonstration demanding an end to enforced disappearances and extra-judicial killings, are being released after their bail was approved. 

The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), the main organiser of the long march, delivered a three-day ultimatum to authorities. Their demands included the dismissal of cases against students and activists and the release of all protesters. The march initiated in Turbat on December 6 following the alleged extra-judicial killing of a Baloch youth, reached the federal capital on Wednesday.

The Islamabad police's use of force to disperse and detain the demonstrators, with over 200 taken into custody, drew widespread condemnation from human rights organisations, politicians, the Islamabad High Court (IHC), and even the highest offices, including President Dr. Arif Alvi and caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar.

 A judicial magistrate had granted bail to 162 participants, though conflicting accounts from protesters and BYC claimed that the release was cancelled despite bail approval.

Today, Islamabad police officially announced the approval of bail for the arrested protesters. The police statement stated, "Keeping in view the legal requirements, the bail of the arrested protesters has been approved. The detained protesters are being released." Relatives of the detainees were urged to contact the police for information and legal assistance.

نگران وزیراعظم پاکستان کی تشکیل کردہ کمیٹی اور گورنر بلوچستان سے مظاہرین نے گرفتار افراد کی رہائی کا مطالبہ کیا تھا۔

قانونی تقاضوں کو سامنے رکھتے ہوئے گرفتار مظاہرین کی ضمانتیں منظور ہو گئی ہیں۔ گرفتار مظاہرین کو رہا کیا جا رہا ہے۔

گرفتار افراد کے عزیز و اقارب معلومات اور مدد…

— Islamabad Police (@ICT_Police) December 24, 2023

Earlier negotiations between the caretaker government and the protesters, as highlighted by Interior Secretary Aftab Akbar Durrani, emphasised the right to peaceful protests. Durrani stated, "We have ensured, on the orders of the prime minister, that no protesters are harmed, tortured, or harassed in any way," while also reiterating that the rule of law would be upheld.

As the BYC's movement entered its 31st day with a sit-in outside the National Press Club, concerns rose over the "missing" status of over 100 Baloch students. Mahrang Baloch, a long march organiser, warned that unless these students were released and FIRs against peaceful protestors withdrawn, the movement would take harsh steps, holding the state responsible.

Out of 250 students, 100+ student’s status is missing they are not presented in any court, if the students are not released & FIRs against peaceful protestors are not withdrawn then the long march will be compelled to take harsh steps and the state will be responsible for this. pic.twitter.com/v3kx7bBvJx

— Mahrang Baloch (@MahrangBaloch_) December 24, 2023

PPP Senator Raza Rabbani condemned the "high-handed and ruthless manner" in which the Islamabad police handled the long marchers. He emphasised the need to address the economic and political rights of the people of Balochistan and called for a Senate dialogue to resolve issues within the constitutional framework.

Read Police baton charge, arrest Baloch long march protesters in Islamabad

The BYC issued a charter of demands, seeking a UN-led fact-finding mission and accountability for alleged rights violations. Their demands included acknowledgement by CTD Balochistan of the "fake encounter" of Balach Mola Baksh and the recovery of all missing Baloch persons. The charter also called for the abolition of the CTD and "death squads" in the province, demanding a press conference from the interior ministry to confess alleged killings in "fake encounters." The protesters vowed to persist until their demands were met.

Press Release #MarchAgainstBalochGenocide pic.twitter.com/IqpynM3nfv

— Baloch Yakjehti Committee (Islamabad) (@BYCislamabad) December 23, 2023

Bilateral talks held between goverment and Baloch protestors

The caretaker government on Saturday opened dialogue with Baloch protestors demanding an end to enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings prevalent in their province in order to resolve grievances, expressing willingness to continue the talks.

The committee, comprising Information Minister Murtaza Solangi and Privatisation Minister Fawad Hassan Fawad, visited the Baloch protest camp to engage with the demonstrators. Besides, Balochistan Governor Malki Wali Kakar was also present during the talks.

Both parties expressed their willingness to continue the bilateral talks. The meeting took place in an amicable atmosphere, fostering open dialogue and aiming for a harmonious resolution to the grievances articulated by the Baloch demonstrators. Significantly, an agreement was reached during the discussions to continue the ongoing negotiations on the following day.

The committee members engaged in discussions with the protestors in a congenial atmosphere, as reported by the state media, fostering a positive exchange of views between both parties. According to reports, the Balochistan governor arrived at the protest camp to show his support and solidarity with the demonstrators. He joined the protest camp to demonstrate his support and offered reassurance and support.

‘Stepmotherly treatment’

Similarly, PPP Senator Farhatullah Babar also joined the camp to stand in solidarity with the demonstrators. Addressing the gathering, he emphasised that the Baloch people are demanding fundamental human rights, often being treated unfairly."

He added, "This stepmotherly treatment towards Balochistan must cease. Any wrongdoing should face legal proceedings; violence and hindrances only breed animosity." Jamaat-e-Islami’s Senator Mushtaq Ahmed also visited the protest camp to show support for the Baloch demonstrators.

Addressing the media, he highlighted that the use of ‘missing persons’ represents a severe violation of human rights. He expressed concerns that maintaining such an attitude by the state could lead to troubling consequences.

The BYC commitee alleged that despite their rally outside Islamabad’s National Press Club (NPC), over 100 previously detained members had not been presented in court, rendering them "missing."

The protestors continued their demonstration amid a police presence as they pressed for their demands.
Meanwhile, the demonstrators calling for the release of Baloch 'missing persons' have been granted bail by Judicial Magistrate Mureed Abbas of the district and sessions court.

The court approved bail for 162 individuals arrested during the long march, with the approval of sureties against a bail bond of Rs5,000 each. Participants of the march were apprehended by the police three days ago.