The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) expressed worry about the prolonged imprisonment of its chief organizer, Mahrang Baloch, and other leaders in Pakistan. The BYC highlighted that the authorities used legal maneuvers like the Maintenance of Public Order (3-MPO) to detain them initially. Despite the completion of investigations and submission of reports, the leaders faced obstacles in obtaining bail, leading to continued incarceration.
The BYC pointed out that the cases against its leaders stemmed from their peaceful activism against enforced disappearances and human rights abuses in Balochistan. The High Court, after hearing bail applications, reserved judgment for three months before ultimately denying bail and directing the case to trial. The committee questioned the delay in the judgment and emphasized the impact of prolonged detention on individuals and the perception of judicial independence.
The BYC stressed that advocating for constitutional rights and opposing human rights violations should not be equated with criminal activities. It criticized the use of procedural delays to keep peaceful leaders in custody, raising concerns about the state of democratic freedoms in the country.
