Quetta:Amnesty International has strongly criticized the Quetta police for their excessive use of tear gas shelling, baton charges, and arbitrary arrests of demonstrators during a peaceful protest in the city. The protest was organized on June 27 demanding the safe return of disappeared Zahid Ahmed Baloch.
Reports have surfaced of multiple protesters being injured by police actions, necessitating urgent medical attention for them. Holding peaceful protesters in arbitrary detention violates international human rights law, specifically Articles 9 and 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Pakistan is a signatory.
Amnesty International has called upon the Pakistani government to ensure immediate access to medical care for the injured protesters, especially those still under police custody. They have demanded the unconditional release of all individuals arbitrarily detained and called for a fair trial in civilian courts for any criminal allegations against peaceful demonstrators.
The organization emphasized that the use of force against peaceful protesters and their arbitrary detention are clear violations of human rights principles and must cease immediately. Amnesty International urged the authorities to uphold their international obligations and ensure the protection of civil liberties and political rights for all citizens.
