Woman Human Rights Defender Dr. Mahrang Baloch Prevented from Traveling

Front Line Defenders strongly condemns Pakistan authorities preventing Dr. Mahrang Baloch from traveling to the United States to attend an award ceremony in New York organised by TIME. Dr. Mahrang Baloch is a woman human rights defender and staunch advocate on the rights of the Baloch community in Pakistan. Dr. Mahrang Baloch is a woman human rights defender that has campaigned peacefully for years against systemic violations by the Pakistan state including against extra judicial killings, enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrest and custodial torture against the Baloch community. She has been recognized for her human rights work by TIME and is part of the TIME100 Next List for 2024.

On 7 October 2024, Pakistan authorities prevented Dr. Mahrang Baloch from traveling to attend and event in New York, United States to mark her incusion in the TIME100 Next list for 2024. Immigration authorities at the Karachi International Airport, prevented her from leaving the country without stating any basis or valid reason for her treatment.

Dr. Mahrang Baloch has faced legal harassment and other forms of reprisal due to her human rights work. She was a leading figure in the Baloch Long March in November, December 2023 and played an active role in the Baloch National Gathering in Gwadar Pakistan in July 2024. She faced severe reprisals due to her work by state and non-state entities as punishment for her peaceful work. She has been a victim of disinformation and deliberate propaganda aimed at silencing and discreding her important work. The treatment by immigration authorities, without any basis or legal foundation, is part of a pattern of abuse against Dr. Mahrang Baloch and Baloch human rights defenders in Pakistan.

Front Line Defenders strongly condemns the treatment of Dr. Mahrang Baloch and calls on Pakistan authorities to assure her rights including the right to freedom of movement, and protection in Pakistan.