The act of making a scripted interview public by Pakistani journalist Maria Zulfiqar Khan puts Mahal Baloch and her family at great risk. Such actions not only violate the principles of impartiality and fairness in journalism but also threaten the safety and security of individuals who have already been subjected to unjust treatment.
It is essential that the media respects the privacy and dignity of individuals and refrains from reporting or broadcasting coerced confessions. The dissemination of such information can lead to further persecution and harassment of the individuals and their families.
Forced confessions have no place in a just and fair legal system. The use of torture to extract information or confessions is not only morally repugnant but is also a violation of international law. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights as does the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, ratified by Pakistan in 2010, clearly prohibits the use of torture to extract confessions.
It is alarming to hear of the case of Mahal Baloch, who was abducted from her home in Quetta and subjected to an unlawful detention. The fabrication of charges against Mahal, claiming that she was found with weapons and ammunition, despite her house being raided and ransacked, is an egregious violation of her rights.
This cruel and inhumane treatment of individuals is not only illegal but also goes against the fundamental principles of human rights.
Human rights organizations across the world must condemn such actions and hold those responsible accountable. The international community must demand that Pakistan adheres to its obligations under international law and ensure that Mahal Baloch is released immediately and unconditionally.
We must stand together in our condemnation of forced confessions and torture and demand that governments worldwide respect the human rights of all individuals, regardless of their circumstances. It is only by upholding these values that we can create a world that is fair, just, and equitable for all.