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Urgent Action: Stop the secret trials of Baloch activists

72 days left to demand change

After a year in arbitrary detention on trumped up charges, five Baloch activists are facing judgment behind closed doors in a so-called "jail trial".

In spring last year, Mahrang Baloch, Bebarg Zehri, Beebow Baloch, Shah Jee Sibghat Ullah and Gulzadi Baloch were arbitrarily detained by the Pakistani authorities as part of a wider crackdown in Balochistan Province on peaceful protests and the right to freedom of expression.

The human rights defenders were originally arrested under Pakistan's Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance and should have been released when their detention orders expired on 22 June 2025.

However, just hours before a meeting to review whether their detention was legal, they were instead brought before an anti-terrorism court and now face multiple charges under Pakistan's Anti-Terrorism Act.

The five have repeatedly been denied bail and now await trial in prison, without media access or independent observers, raising concerns that they will not receive a fair and impartial trial.

After a year in detention, several of the activists are also facing serious health issues – including spinal conditions, infections and extreme weight loss – and are being denied access to adequate medical care. Without treatment, more than one of them is likely to suffer severe, lifelong consequences, including losing their mobility.

Contact the Pakistani authorities today to demand that they release the Baloch activists from arbitrary detention, guarantee them fair trials and give them adequate medical care.

Download the full Urgent Action here. (232.0 KB PDF)

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Target: Ambassador Mohammad Faisal

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Dear Ambassador Mohammad Faisal,

I am writing to express my grave concern about the ongoing detention, deprivation of adequate medical care and denial of the right to fair trial of Baloch activists, including Mahrang Baloch, Bebarg Zehri, Beebow Baloch, Shah Jee Sibghat Ullah, and Gulzadi Baloch, for one year. They are currently being detained in Hudda Jail, Quetta and their trial is taking place inside prison premises, without access to media or independent observers, despite raising concerns over the alleged impartiality of the judge.

It is alarming to learn that the activists continue to be detained despite the expiry of preventive detention orders under the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance (MPO). They are now being held for trumped up charges under the Anti-Terrorism Act to prolong their detention, denying them their right to liberty, right to fair trial, freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly as they are being detained solely for their work as human rights defenders.

I am particularly concerned for their health and safety. Bebarg faces daily challenges due to his disability and is being denied access to quality physiotherapy which has worsened his condition. Mahrang is suffering from a serious spinal condition developed during detention. She has not been given access to adequate medical care despite repeated applications to the prison authorities.

I urge you to ensure the immediate release of all Baloch activists targeted solely for peacefully exercising their human rights, and that all the charges against them are dropped. Pending their release, they must be afforded their fair trial rights; provided with immediate, adequate medical care; and ensured regular, unhindered access to family and legal counsel, as per Pakistan’s international human rights obligations.

I trust your commitment to justice and human rights will guide your actions to urgently address these grave concerns.

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