Rights body condemns enforced disappearance of two brothers in Gwadar by Pakistani forces

Gwadar, Aug 23 (IANS) A leading human rights organisation on Sunday condemned the enforced disappearance of two brothers in Gwadar, Pakistan.

Paank, the human rights department of the Baloch National Movement (BNM), condemned the enforced disappearance of two brothers, Sajid Baloch and Akeel Baloch, sons of Muhammad Bakhsh, who were forcibly taken by Pakistani military forces in Gwadar on Saturday.

“According to information received by Paank, Sajid Baloch and Akeel Baloch, residents of Sandum village in Kolwah, were working as labourers in the Kantani area of Gwadar. While travelling back to their hometown in Kolwah, they were intercepted and forcibly disappeared by military personnel in Gwadar. Their whereabouts remain unknown,” Paank stated on X.

It called enforced disappearance a “grave violation of international human rights law,” and said it places victims outside the protection of the law, exposing them to the risk of torture and other serious abuses.

“Paank holds the state authorities fully responsible for the safety and physical and psychological well-being of both brothers. Paank demands the immediate and safe release of Sajid Baloch and Akeel Baloch and calls for an end to the ongoing practice of enforced disappearances across Balochistan,” noted the statement.

The rights body also condemned the enforced disappearance of Mehraj Baloch and Irshad Baloch, sons of Hasil, who were forcibly abducted by Pakistani security forces during a military raid in the Bhan area of Turbat on the evening of August 18.

“According to information received by Paank, Pakistani security forces carried out a raid in the area, subjecting residents to harassment and house searches before forcibly disappearing the two brothers. Originally from Patok village in Dasht, Mehraj and Irshad had relocated to Turbat, where they were residing at the time of their abduction,” the rights body stated on X.

It called this case ‘particularly alarming’ because both brothers have previously been subjected to enforced disappearance.

“Mehraj endured more than a year of unlawful detention before his release, while Irshad had also previously been forcibly disappeared. The repeated targeting of the same individuals reflects a disturbing pattern of abuse and a complete disregard for fundamental human rights and the rule of law,” the rights body stated.

–IANS

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