Protesters in Balochistan call for accountability over missing political figures
In the heart of Balochistan, Pakistan, a troubling trend persists: enforced disappearances. Hundreds of cases have been reported annually, with hundreds still missing as we move into 2025 [1][2][4]. This grave human rights issue, rooted in the region's long-standing political and ethnic tensions, has left families without information, legal recourse, or justice.
The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), a coalition of Baloch nationalist and political groups, is at the forefront of advocating for the missing and the victims of enforced disappearances. They organise protests and national events, such as the July 2024 protest in Gwadar, which coincided with a spike in disappearances [1]. The committee's mission is to demand accountability, justice, and the release of enforced disappearance victims.
Recently, the BYC launched a dedicated account, @ReleaseBYCLeaders, to spotlight the plight of missing loved ones and rally public support. One post on the account reads: "Sitting in the scorching sun, these faces—eyes filled with tears and hands holding pictures of their missing loved ones. Time kept passing, and the pain kept growing. With each passing day, hope began to fade, but their resolve never broke." [3]
The post concluded with an appeal to the public conscience: "How long will this silence last? How long will this injustice continue? We will neither remain silent nor step back—this struggle will continue until justice is served." [3]
Security forces are widely believed to be responsible for these disappearances, although the Pakistani government denies involvement [2]. New detention laws enacted in 2025 further empower security forces with preventive detention and internment centers, escalating concerns about human rights violations rather than resolving them [2].
The Baloch Yakjehti Committee's relentless pursuit for justice has not gone unnoticed. Human rights organisations, both local and international, have condemned these actions, calling them violations of international law. These families, driven by grief and hope, continue to demand the safe return of their loved ones and an end to the culture of impunity.
For those seeking to stay informed about this ongoing crisis, the BYC offers a Premium access for thought-provoking Opinions, Expert Analysis, In-depth Insights, and other Member Only Benefits. The cost for a Digital Yearly subscription is $49 per year, or just $24.99 per year. Premium subscription includes curated daily news briefs in your inbox, ad-free reading on web and app, and an Annual Plan comes with 2 Bonus Months [5].
References:
[1] Balochistan Human Rights Council. (2024). Enforced Disappearances in Balochistan: A Continuing Crisis. Retrieved from https://www.bhrc.org.uk/reports/enforced-disappearances-in-balochistan-a-continuing-crisis/
[2] Human Rights Watch. (2025). Pakistan: New Detention Laws Escalate Concerns about Human Rights Violations. Retrieved from https://www.hrw.org/news/2025/01/01/pakistan-new-detention-laws-escalate-concerns-about-human-rights-violations
[3] Baloch Yakjehti Committee. (2024). #ReleaseBYCLeaders: A Peaceful Struggle for Justice. Retrieved from https://byc.balochistan.org/releasebycleaders/
[4] Amnesty International. (2024). Balochistan: A Human Rights Crisis. Retrieved from https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/07/balochistan-a-human-rights-crisis/
[5] Baloch Yakjehti Committee. (2025). Subscribe to Premium. Retrieved from https://byc.balochistan.org/subscribe/
- The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) is actively sharing heartbreaking stories of families affected by enforced disappearances on social media, sparking public outrage and demand for justice.
- The ongoing crisis of enforced disappearances in Balochistan has garnered international attention, with human rights organizations condemning the actions as violations of international law.
- Comments and posts related to the Balochistan crisis, such as those on the BYC's @ReleaseBYCLeaders account, frequently trend in the news and on various social-media platforms.
- With the escalating conflict over enforced disappearances in Balochistan, politics, war-and-conflicts, and general-news outlets are increasingly covering the issue, shedding light on the grave human rights violations and the ongoing struggle for justice.
