State Crackdown on Peaceful Political Activity in Balochistan Decried by Baloch Women Forum Organizer Dr. Shali Baloch
TURBAT:Central Organizer of the **Baloch Women Forum**, Dr. **Shali Baloch**, has condemned the attempts by state institutions to suppress the Forum’s peaceful and constitutional activities, calling them a clear violation of fundamental human and democratic rights.
Addressing a press conference at the **Turbat Press Club**, Dr. Shali Baloch revealed that a one-day conference scheduled for **July 27** at **Gwadar Press Club**—intended to initiate critical dialogue on political participation, enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests, and state repression—was forcibly obstructed by state authorities.
She explained that in preparation for the event, Forum members carried out **public awareness campaigns**, wall chalking, and community engagement in Gwadar and surrounding areas. However, these constitutional activities led to **constant surveillance, profiling**, and **unlawful detention** of the team members.
According to Dr. Baloch, **Gwadar police detained several female activists** and transferred them to the women’s police station, where they were subjected to **inhumane and degrading treatment**. Authorities pressured them to sign written statements canceling the conference. When they refused, the activists were forcibly relocated from **Gwadar to Turbat**.
The Baloch Women Forum strongly condemned these actions as a direct attack on **human dignity, freedom of expression**, and **the right to political assembly**, describing the suppression as both **unconstitutional and anti-democratic**.
Dr. Shali Baloch stated, “A coordinated state crackdown is underway in Balochistan, particularly targeting political organizations, student groups, and women who are vocal about rights and political consciousness.” She highlighted that organizations like the **Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC)** and **National Democratic Political Group (NDP)** are also facing similar repression.
Reaffirming their commitment, the Baloch Women Forum emphasized that their movement is **entirely peaceful, constitutional, and democratic**, aimed at promoting **political participation and self-determination** for the Baloch people.
In conclusion, the Forum appealed to **international media**, **human rights organizations**, and **the global conscience** to take serious notice of the escalating human rights violations in Balochistan and to raise their voice against the silencing of Baloch women and the wider community.
