The Paank Human Rights Organization of the Baloch National Movement (BNM) condemns the latest incident of extrajudicial killing and excessive use of force by state authorities in Balochistan. On August 2 , 2024, Hamdan Baloch, a young man, was killed, and two others were severely injured during a peaceful sit-in in the Nushki district, organized by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee. This incident occurred when the Frontier Corps (FC) opened indiscriminate fire on civilians who were attending the peaceful protest.
Among the injured was Hikmatullah Baloch, who was initially shifted to the Trauma Centre in Quetta. Due to the severity of his injuries, he was later transferred to Karachi for specialized medical care. After battling for his life for 40 days, Hikmatullah tragically succumbed to his injuries at a hospital in Karachi.
Pattern of Repression
This brutal act of violence is part of a broader and troubling pattern of human rights violations in Balochistan. The state has repeatedly employed repressive tactics, including extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detentions, and violence against peaceful assemblies, to silence dissenting voices. In their efforts to prevent the Baloch national gathering from taking place, state forces killed three young men and left approximately 30 others seriously injured. This is a clear violation of the fundamental right to freedom of expression and assembly, enshrined in both domestic and international human rights law.
Medical and Humanitarian Failures
The death of Hikmatullah Baloch underscores the failure of the state to provide adequate medical care in times of crisis. Despite being in critical condition, Hikmatullah was forced to seek treatment hundreds of kilometers away in Karachi due to the lack of advanced medical facilities in Quetta. This avoidable delay highlights the systematic neglect of the healthcare system in Balochistan, further exacerbating the suffering of victims of state violence.
Human Rights Violations
The actions of the state in Balochistan constitute multiple and serious violations of human rights, including:
- Right to Life: The extrajudicial killing of Hamdan Baloch and Hikmatullah Baloch violates Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Pakistan is a signatory.
- Freedom of Assembly and Expression: The indiscriminate firing on a peaceful gathering infringes upon the rights to freedom of assembly and expression, protected under Articles 19 and 21 of the ICCPR
- Access to Healthcare: The failure to provide timely and adequate medical treatment to Hikmatullah Baloch points to a violation of the right to health, as outlined in Article 12 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR).
Urgent Call for Action
The Paank Human Rights Organization of BNM calls for an urgent and thorough investigation into these extrajudicial killings and acts of violence. The international community, human rights organizations, and the United Nations must press the government of Pakistan to end its campaign of repression in Balochistan and hold those responsible for these violations accountable.
The Paank Human Rights Organization stands in solidarity with the families of Hamdan and Hikmatullah Baloch during this difficult time and urges immediate intervention to prevent further loss of life. We call on the international community to recognize the plight of the Baloch people and take meaningful steps to protect their human rights.
Only through international attention and accountability can we hope to achieve a future where the people of Balochistan can exercise their rights freely and without fear of violence or persecution.
Conclusion
The ongoing human rights abuses in Balochistan, including extrajudicial killings, suppression of peaceful protests, and denial of access to adequate healthcare, require immediate international condemnation and action. The tragic deaths of Hamdan and Hikmatullah must not be forgotten. These acts of violence are part of a broader systemic repression that continues to target the Baloch people, depriving them of their fundamental rights and freedoms. The international community must stand in solidarity with the people of Balochistan in their struggle for justice, accountability, and human dignity.