Baloch rights activist prevented from boarding flight, detained for three hours at Karachi airport

Baloch rights activist Sammi Deen Baloch was prevented from travelling abroad by immigration officials and detained for over three hours at the Karachi airport on Sunday.

Sammy took to social media platform X to protest his/her detention and shared his/her experience live. he/she alleged that immigration officials detained him/her for over three hours and confiscated his/her passport without giving any formal explanation for the violation of his/her rights.

Sammy posted, “Today at Karachi airport, immigration officials stopped me from traveling abroad without giving any explanation. By doing so, they violated my fundamental right to liberty and freedom of movement. I was detained at immigration for over three hours and my passport was confiscated.”

The activist said that when she protested and went live on social media, the authorities returned her passport but failed to provide any documents or reason for the travel ban.”

“I was verbally told that immigration is acting on written orders from the Balochistan government. I appeal to international human rights bodies to raise their voice against this violation of rights,” Sami said.

Today at Karachi airport, immigration officials stopped me from going abroad without giving any explanation, violating my fundamental right to freedom and movement. I was detained at immigration for more than three hours and my passport was confiscated. However,…

— Sammi Deen Baloch (@SammiBaluch) September 8, 2024

Prominent Baloch rights activist Mehrang Baloch also condemned the incident and called it a clear attempt to suppress voices critical of human rights violations in Balochistan.

The activist said, “I am deeply saddened to learn that Karachi airport authorities prevented Sami Deen from leaving the country despite having a valid visa, ticket and all the required travel documents. This is a clear attempt to not only deny basic human rights, including the right to movement, but also to restrict information and silence voices that speak about Balochistan.”

I am deeply saddened to learn that Karachi airport authorities prevented prominent Baloch rights activist Sammi Deen from leaving the country on Sunday even though he/she had a valid visa, ticket and all the required travel documents.

This is not only a clear attempt to deny basic amenities… pic.twitter.com/rK2YZbpsja

— Mahrang Baloch (@MahrangBaloch_) September 8, 2024

The incident highlights ongoing efforts by Pakistani authorities to suppress activists who raise awareness about human rights violations in the conflict-torn Balochistan region.

Sammi Deen has been a vocal advocate for the rights of the Baloch people and has drawn attention to enforced disappearances and extrajudicial actions that have plagued the region for years.

So far, there has been no official comment from the Pakistan government or immigration authorities about the order barring him/her from travelling. The incident has prompted calls from human rights organisations to investigate the growing crackdown on dissenting voices in Pakistan.