The Foreign Office on Wednesday accused certain U.N. experts of “selective criticism” over their demands for the release of Baloch Yajehti Committee leaders, including Mahrang Baloch and Sammi Baloch.
In a statement released earlier in the day, a group of U.N. experts had demanded the release of “Baloch human rights defenders” and a halt to a crackdown on peaceful protesters. “We have been monitoring with growing concern reports of alleged arrests and enforced disappearances of Baloch activists over the past number of months, and the violent incidents in the past few days have significantly increased our concerns,” the experts said, specifically expressing concern for the welfare of Mahrang and Sammi.
“We urge the Pakistani authorities to immediately release them and to refrain from abusing counter-terrorism or public safety measures against human rights defenders, and we call on the authorities to clarify without delay the fate and whereabouts of all those reportedly subjected to enforced disappearances,” they added.
In a rejoinder, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the statement appeared to have been based on “selective and unverified media reports,” and called for such public statements to adhere to “principles of objectivity, avoid selective criticism, reflect factual accuracy, and acknowledge the full context of the situation.”
Maintaining that these comments lacked “balance and proportionality,” and downplayed civilian casualties by terrorists while disregarding deliberate disruption to public services, it said any credible assessment “must recognize that these elements are not mere protesters but active participants in a broader campaign of lawlessness and violence.”
Claiming such protesters hid behind a façade of alleged grievances, the Foreign Office accused them of operating in collusion with terrorists, citing “synchronized roadblocks facilitating terrorist attacks.” It stressed that BYC demonstrators had illegally stormed the “District Hospital in Quetta, where they forcibly seized the bodies of five terrorists eliminated during the Jaffar Express hostage rescue operation.”
Stressing that international human rights law unequivocally prohibited individuals, entities, or groups from weaponizing rights to infringe upon the rights and security of others, it noted sovereign states had the right to take lawful and necessary action to maintain public order and ensure public safety.
“The government is duty-bound to protect the lives and security of its people, particularly in areas where innocent civilians bear the brunt of foreign-sponsored terrorism,” it said, stressing the persistent threat of terrorism undermined efforts to adopt policies aimed at fostering social and economic development for all segments of society, regardless of ethnic or religious background.
“In this regard, the measures undertaken by the government are fully consistent with international law, which categorically prohibits incitement to violence and terrorism. There can be no tolerance, let alone impunity, for terrorists, their facilitators, or their abettors,” it said, noting the detained individuals had access to institutional and legal mechanisms for any redress.
“We maintain an open and constructive dialogue with U.N. Special Procedures Mandate Holders and will continue our engagement based on principles of mutual respect, objectivity, and adherence to facts,” it added.