A group of independent United Nations human rights experts has expressed serious concern over the life imprisonment of Baloch human rights defender Dr. Mahrang Baloch, describing the verdict as a violation of international fair trial standards and warning against the misuse of counter-terrorism laws to suppress peaceful dissent.
Dr. Mahrang Baloch, a prominent Baloch activist and leader of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), was sentenced by an Anti-Terrorism Court in Quetta on charges related to the death of a Frontier Corps personnel during a protest held in July 2024. Co-accused Sibghatullah Shah Jee also received a life sentence. According to the prosecution, the convictions were based on provisions of the Pakistan Penal Code and the Anti-Terrorism Act.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the UN experts said the proceedings raised significant concerns regarding due process and judicial fairness. They alleged that the trial was conducted inside a prison, that the accused were unable to effectively participate in their defence, and that Dr. Baloch was not permitted to appoint legal counsel of her choice. The experts also expressed concern over reports regarding her health and detention conditions.
The UN experts further stated that counter-terrorism legislation should not be used to restrict the rights to peaceful assembly, freedom of expression, or legitimate human rights advocacy. They called on Pakistani authorities to uphold their obligations under international human rights law, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and to ensure that all judicial proceedings meet internationally recognised standards of fairness.
The experts also noted that several additional legal cases against Dr. Baloch remain pending and warned that the continued prosecution of rights defenders could further shrink civic space in Balochistan. They urged Pakistan to prevent the misuse of anti-terror legislation and to protect the rights of individuals engaged in peaceful human rights work.
The Pakistani authorities have maintained that the convictions relate to criminal offences arising from the 2024 protest and have defended their actions under the country’s legal framework. Human rights organisations, however, have criticised the verdict and called for the immediate release of the convicted activists, alleging that the trial failed to meet international standards.