We demand the immediate release of prominent human rights defenders and lawyers who are currently detained in Pakistan for their peaceful and lawful advocacy regarding enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and fair trial rights.

Those detained include leaders of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) — Dr Mahrang Baloch, Beebarg Zehri, Beebow Baloch, Gulzadi Baloch, and Shahji Baloch, who have been in detention for over 14 months.

We also demand the release of lawyers Iman Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha, who have been detained for months due to their legal advocacy, public statements, and defense of constitutional rights, including their work on enforced disappearances and fair trial protections.

Background and Context

The detained BYC leaders have consistently engaged in peaceful activism, raising their voices against enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and systemic human rights violations in Balochistan. Their activism is rooted in constitutional rights, justice, and the demand for accountability.

Multiple fabricated criminal cases have been filed against them in circumstances that are politically motivated and aimed at silencing their voices. They are being denied fair trial rights and subjected to prolonged detention without due process.

Lawyers Iman Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha have been targeted for their legal work and public advocacy defending victims of enforced disappearance and speaking out against violations of constitutional and human rights. Their detention is a direct attack on legal advocacy and freedom of expression.

These actions represent a broader pattern of suppression against human rights defenders, lawyers, and peaceful voices demanding justice.

Key Concerns

• Prolonged detention without fair and transparent judicial process
• Politically motivated cases used to silence peaceful human rights advocacy
• Violation of fair trial rights and due process
• Targeting of lawyers for defending constitutional rights
• Suppression of freedom of speech and peaceful assembly

Why This Matters

The right to speak against injustice is a fundamental human right. Enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings cannot be addressed if those who raise their voices are silenced.

Detaining human rights defenders and lawyers weakens the justice system, undermines the rule of law, and denies vulnerable communities access to representation and truth.

This is not only about individuals, it is about protecting the right of every person to demand accountability without fear.

Our Demands

We call for the immediate and unconditional release of all detained human rights defenders and lawyers named in this petition.

We further demand:

1. All charges against them be dropped immediately.
2. Full protection of fair trial rights and due process in all cases.
3. An end to the criminalization of peaceful human rights advocacy.
4. Protection of lawyers and defenders working on enforced disappearance cases.
5. Respect for freedom of speech, assembly, and legal practice.

Call to Action

We urge individuals, civil society, legal communities, and human rights defenders worldwide to sign this petition and stand in solidarity.

Silence in the face of injustice enables it to continue. We stand together to demand freedom, justice, and accountability.