Human Rights Watch (HRW) stated on Wednesday that the Pakistan government should exercise restraint in dealing with ongoing protests in the province of Balochistan. It further called for releasing all those arrested for peaceful protesting and asked to restore internet access.

On July 28th, conflict erupted in Balochistan when 14 supporters of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) were shot and injured in Mastung while on their way to attend a rally over enforced disappearances in the region in Gwadar. BYC leader Bebarg Baloch alleged that supporters had been specifically targeted by security forces, a claim that was denied by the authorities.  

Protests against the shooting led to violent clashes the following day, leaving three dead. Security forces also used teargas in attempts to disperse protestors and set up numerous roadblocks in the area. Despite the violent reactions, BYC leader Dr Mahrang Baloch vowed to continue the struggle. BYC also received support from other political parties, such as the Balochistan National Party (BNP-Mengal) and the National Party.

The situation remained tense by Monday as protestors continued to stay in Gwadar despite roadblocks and a communication blackout implemented by the authorities. While security forces claimed that 16 security personnel had died in the preceding clashes, BYC contended that hundreds of its supporters had been arrested. The police began a crackdown to disperse the remaining protestors participating in sit-ins and have been accused of using excessive violence in doing so.

Human Rights Watch has alleged that the authorities’ response to the protests has violated general international human rights law, as well as went against The United Nations Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials.

Balochistan has grappled with a violent insurgency for the last two decades, resulting in alleged forced disappearances and bodies being dumped along roadsides. As of January 2023, the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances has reported almost 9,000 cases across Pakistan since its establishment in 2011. While over 5,000 cases were traced, nearly 3,800 individuals returned home, leaving over 2,000 cases pending. Baloch national organizations, like Voice for Baloch Missing Persons, contest these figures, claiming the registered cases to be around 23,000, enormously challenging the commission’s data.

Patricia Gossman, the associate Asia director of Human Rights Watch, asked authorities to use non-violent means, stating, “It’s vitally important for the authorities to protect protesters’ rights while preventing the situation in Balochistan from spiraling out of control.”