The arrest of Dr. Mahrang Baloch, a leading human rights advocate, activist against enforced disappearances, and 2025 Nobel Peace Prize nominee, marks a grave escalation in Pakistan’s crackdown on peaceful dissent in Balochistan. On March 23, 2025, Dr. Baloch was detained during a peaceful protest in Quetta, reinforcing a growing pattern of state repression against nonviolent resistance. Her arrest follows violent crackdowns on demonstrations organized by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee, where protesters across the region have been met with excessive police force, arbitrary detentions, and intimidation. The suppression of these nonviolent movements has provoked widespread outrage, leading to strikes and shutdowns in multiple cities across the province.
Dr. Mahrang Baloch’s detention is not an isolated event but part of a systematic effort to silence voices advocating for justice and human rights. As a prominent advocate against enforced disappearances, she has been at the forefront of protests demanding accountability for the thousands of Baloch individuals abducted by security forces. The Pakistani government’s increasing reliance on transnational repression, targeting Baloch human rights defenders abroad, particularly in the Pacific region, further demonstrates its intent to suppress dissent beyond its borders. These actions violate fundamental human rights and must be unequivocally condemned by the international community.
Enforced disappearances remain one of the most alarming aspects of Pakistan’s repression of dissent, particularly in Balochistan. Human rights organizations and activists have documented hundreds of cases where students, journalists, and political activists have been abducted by security forces, often never to be seen again. Families of the disappeared have led years-long protests demanding answers, yet they are met with indifference, threats, or further repression. This systematic use of enforced disappearances aims to instill fear, crush peaceful activism, and erase voices advocating for justice and self-determination. The international community must not turn a blind eye to these grave human rights violations.
The Path Forward: Peaceful Resistance as the Solution
As the Baloch people continue their struggle for justice and self-determination, it is clear that the way forward lies in peaceful resistance, not further violence. While the armed insurgency persists, the true strength of the Baloch movement lies in its unwavering commitment to nonviolent advocacy. Peaceful protests, awareness campaigns, and marches represent the most promising avenue for meaningful and lasting change. These efforts have the potential to shift the narrative, create space for dialogue, and pave the way for a just solution.
Instead of continuing with military tactics that perpetuate violence and lead to further bloodshed, the Pakistani government must engage in meaningful dialogue with the Baloch people to address their legitimate demands for autonomy, development, and human rights. The Pakistani state’s entrenched sense of superiority and colonial mindset has only deepened the crisis in Balochistan. The indiscriminate use of force must give way to political solutions. True and lasting peace can only be achieved by acknowledging the historical injustices and systemic oppression endured by the Baloch people, taking full accountability for these actions, and committing to sincere reconciliation.
Now more than ever, the international community must stand in solidarity. Governments, human rights organizations, and international bodies must support the peaceful movements in Balochistan and push for a resolution rooted in justice and dialogue. Violence will never bring lasting peace. Only through negotiation, political engagement, and the recognition of Baloch rights can a just and sustainable solution be achieved. The international community and the Pakistani government must prioritize this path, fostering an environment that upholds the dignity, sovereignty, and fundamental freedoms of the Baloch people.
The UNPO unequivocally condemns the arrest of Dr. Mahrang Baloch and the broader crackdown on peaceful protesters. We call for the immediate and unconditional release of all nonviolent activists and human rights defenders in Pakistan and in exile. The Pakistani government must end its campaign of repression, enforced disappearances, and criminalization of dissent. It must listen to the voices of the Baloch people, respect their fundamental rights, and allow for their meaningful participation in political life.
The silencing of peaceful movements will only deepen instability. The international community must take urgent action to condemn Pakistan’s shrinking civic space, support the voices of nonviolent resistance, and pressure the Pakistani state to abandon its militarized approach. The UNPO stands in solidarity with the people of Balochistan in their struggle for justice, dignity, and self-determination.
