Pakistan: Baloch rights group condemns brutal violence against nine months of peaceful protests in Chaman

The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) condemned the use of state machinery against the use of brutal violence against the nine-month-long peaceful sit-in protest in Chaman. In Islamabad, authorities used excessive force, including tear gas, batons and water cannons, against peaceful protesters.

“The Baloch Yakjehti Committee condemns the use of brutal violence by state entities against the nine-month-long peaceful sit-in protest in Chaman. Instead of addressing the legitimate concerns of the people of Chaman and border residents, the state has resorted to violence against peaceful protesters,” the BYC said in a post on X.

A peaceful protest in Chaman district of Pakistan’s Balochistan was attacked by law enforcement agencies in the early hours of Friday, leaving over thirty people injured.

BYC said, “Today’s military aggression against protesters has resulted in the loss of precious human lives and over thirty people have been injured. Chaman has been cordoned off and cut off from the rest of Balochistan, with internet services also blocked. We stand in solidarity with the peaceful protesters and support their legitimate demands.”

The Baloch Yakjehti Committee condemns the use of brutal violence by state institutions against the nine-month-long peaceful sit-in protest in Chaman. Instead of addressing the legitimate concerns of the people of Chaman and border residents, the state has resorted to violence against them… pic.twitter.com/4lzAf6pyFJ

— Baloch Yakjehti Committee (@BalochYakjehtiC) June 6, 2024

Besides, Baloch leader Mehrang Baloch also raised the same issue on social media and condemned the brutal action of Pakistani defence forces. In a statement on ‘X’, he/she said, “The brutality of the state army in Chaman is very worrying and condemnable. The people of Chaman have been protesting peacefully for their social and economic rights for the past several months. It is very sad to say that this peaceful sit-in is being met with continuous violence by the state army.

The brutality of the state army in Chaman is extremely worrying and condemnable. The people of Chaman have been protesting peacefully for their social and economic rights for the past several months. It is very sad to say that this peaceful protest is being continuously subjected to violence by the state army. This morning in Chaman… pic.twitter.com/2Cg5vTp2CG

— Mahrang Baloch (@MahrangBaloch_) June 6, 2024

“The Chaman sit-in was attacked this morning. According to reports on social media, many people have been injured. Earlier also the State Army had violently attacked the Chaman sit-in. The Pashtun nation is constantly facing government repression, but despite all these repressions the Pashtun nation has continued to fight for its rights, which is commendable. I request human rights organizations to immediately take cognizance of the government brutality on the Chaman sit-in,” Mehrang Baloch said.

Notably, the Baloch community in Pakistan has been suffering at the hands of Pakistani law enforcement agencies. Earlier, the human rights department of the Baloch National Movement (BNM), known as PAANK, in its report condemned the atrocities of the Pakistani army in Balochistan, including enforced disappearances and fake encounters. PAANK released a scathing monthly report highlighting the deteriorating human rights situation in Balochistan, Pakistan.

According to PAANK’s report, Balochistan has become a battleground for violent actions allegedly carried out by state forces such as the Frontier Corps (FC), the Counter Terrorism Department and army-backed death squads.

In May alone, the province recorded 19 cases of torture victims, three extrajudicial killings and 90 enforced disappearances. Tragically, many of the disappeared later return from the dead bearing signs of torture, the report said.

Among the extrajudicial killings documented in the report, the cases of Zahid Niaz of Kandari Mashkai District Awaran and Yar Muhammad Jalal of Nasirabad are highlighted, both of whom were shot dead on May 27. The report also details the brutal murder of Balach Nazir Ahmad Badini, a promising football player from Nushki, who was shot in broad daylight.

Enforced disappearances remain a widespread issue in Balochistan, where 90 cases were reported in May alone. Districts such as Kech, Dera Bugti and Gwadar are particularly affected, with 22, 29 and 15 cases reported respectively.