Baloch Long March: Amnesty International expresses 'deep concern' over excessive use of force

"Pakistan: @amnesty is deeply concerned by the excessive use of force by law enforcement against the Baloch Long March protestors in Islamabad on 21 December. Amnesty has reviewed videos showing water cannons, tear gas and batons being used against the protestors. Dozens have been detained and several others injured, including women, minors and elderly persons, violating their rights to liberty, security and protest," Amnesty International said in a statement posted on X.

Amnesty urged the Pakistani government to ensure release of all protestors, and drop any charges brought against them for solely exercising their right to freedom of expression and right to protest.

The group also demanded the Pakistani government conduct an impartial investigation of all extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances, particularly in Balochistan, in line with international standards.

The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (Islamabad) has accused Islamabad of adopting a fascist attitude towards Baloch people, media reports said.

The group claimed that Islamabad police have conducted a crackdown on the long march and kept hundreds of youths, including participants at an unknown location.

In a post shared on X, Baloch Yakjehti Committee (Islamabad) stated as quoted by Asian Lite, “The Islamabad police has cracked down on the long march and kept hundreds of youths including the participants at an unknown location. The state has adopted a fascist attitude towards the Baloch. We strongly appeal to the Baloch people to show a strong reaction, to convince the upper class with public power and force that we are not afraid.”

The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (Islamabad) also condemned the police attack on the protest in Dera Ghazi Khan. It further said that several protesters were arrested in Dera Ghazi Khan.

In another post on X, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (Islamabad) said that it is “deeply concerned” about protesters who are inside the police cell.