Shalee Baloch, the central organizer of the Baloch Women Forum (BWF), has reached out to various international human rights organizations regarding the abuse cases in Balochistan by Pakistani forces. She specifically highlighted the “systematic pattern of enforced disappearances,” especially affecting Baloch women. The letter, addressed to entities like the United Nations for Human Rights Council and Amnesty International, emphasized the pressing need to address the escalating human rights crisis in Balochistan.
Shalee, representing the BWF, urged immediate intervention in the recent enforced disappearance of three Baloch women by Pakistani forces. These women, identified as Khadija Baloch, Haseena Noor Bakhsh, and Gul Banuk Taj, were allegedly targeted solely based on their identity as peaceful Baloch individuals. Their families have been left in the dark about their whereabouts, with no charges brought against them. Shalee described these disappearances as part of a state-sanctioned effort to silence Baloch women perceived as threats to state security due to their societal roles.
The activist demanded an independent investigation into the disappearances through a fact-finding mission in Balochistan and Karachi. She also called on the Pakistani government to present the missing women before a judicial magistrate or allow international observers to ensure accountability. Shalee further appealed for the appointment of a Special Rapporteur on Enforced Disappearances of Baloch Women and urged global human rights bodies to issue orders directing Pakistan to halt intelligence-led operations targeting Baloch women pending a thorough review.
Shalee stressed that despite the BWF’s documentation of such cases, they have faced resistance and intimidation from national institutions. The letter concluded with an impassioned plea to international human rights bodies as a final hope for justice, emphasizing the urgency of the situation and the need for immediate action to locate the missing women and hold those responsible accountable.
