UN experts on July 8 condemned the sentencing of Pakistani human rights defender Mahrang Baloch to two terms of life imprisonment by a court in Quetta, describing it as a “travesty” of justice.
The experts stated that Baloch’s conviction and life sentence represented a misuse of counter-terrorism laws that aimed to suppress human rights activism and freedom of association. The experts found that Baloch was subjected to an unfair trial that disregarded the fundamental rights of the accused, such as the right to attend the trial in person and the right to appoint a legal counsel.
The statement stressed that the right to a fair trial is protected by international law, including Article 10 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) as well as Article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil & Political Rights (ICCPR), and urged Pakistan authorities to prevent the abuse of counter-terrorism laws to restrict citizens’ rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
Additionally, the experts noted that states have a duty to protect populations from human rights violations related to investment projects affecting local communities. Private companies also have an obligation to carry out due diligence on the social impacts of projects, as required by the UN Guiding Principles on Business & Human Rights.
Mahrang Baloch is a human rights activist and leader of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), which advocates for the rights of the Baloch community in Pakistan. She was convicted alongside another BYC member for the death of a Frontier Corps member during a July 2024 protest in Gwadar condemning discrimination, enforced disappearances, and unlawful appropriation of local communities’ lands for mining and foreign investment projects.
According to the court, both BYC members had a common intent to murder the Frontier Corps officer, classifying their conduct as terrorism under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
Pakistan has previously faced criticism from international organizations for human rights abuses against Baloch community leaders and other activists. In 2025, Amnesty International called on Pakistan to cease its crackdown on Baloch activists following the arrest of several BYC members, including Mahrang Baloch. This January, a Pakistani court sentenced two human rights lawyers to prison for controversial social media posts calling for support for arrested BYC activists, which was condemned by the UN. The UN also expressed concern about the detention conditions of human rights defender Idris Khattak, and the broader compliance of authorities with prisoners’ rights.
From JURIST, July 9. Used with permission.
Photo: The Baloch Circle
