Baloch activist ends hunger strike, urges UK to act against Pakistan over rights abuses

Baloch human rights activist Aomar Karim concluded his three-day hunger strike outside 10 Downing Street with a protest outside the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), calling on the British government to take a stronger position against Pakistan over its treatment of Baloch activists.

According to ANI, Karim said the protest was aimed at drawing international attention to the convictions and continued detention of several Baloch rights campaigners.

Hunger strike over convictions of BYC leaders

In a post on X, Karim said he launched the hunger strike after a Pakistani anti-terrorism court sentenced Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leaders Dr Mahrang Baloch and Sibghatullah Shah Ji to life imprisonment. He also raised concerns over the continued detention of activist Bebagr Baloch.

During the three-day protest, Karim distributed leaflets outside the FCDO highlighting alleged human rights violations in Balochistan.

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Calls for UK to take action

The campaign referred to Amnesty International's criticism of the trial, which described it as "an affront to a fair trial". Protesters urged the UK government to publicly condemn the convictions, press for the charges to be dropped and review its relationship with Pakistan.

The demonstration was attended by supporters and human rights advocates, who accused Pakistan of suppressing peaceful political activism in Balochistan.

Rights activists demand international intervention

Speaking at the protest, Baloch Republican Party (BRP) UK President Mansoor Baloch alleged that enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings and other human rights violations continue in Balochistan without sufficient international attention.

He called on the global community to take stronger action over the situation.

Socialist and trade union activist Sacha Ismail also urged the UK government to suspend financial assistance and other forms of support to Pakistan until it complies with its international human rights obligations.

Campaign to continue

Concluding the protest, Karim reiterated his demand for the immediate release of Dr Mahrang Baloch, Sibghatullah Shah Ji and Bebagr Baloch.

He described their imprisonment as an attack on peaceful dissent and said the campaign would continue until those detained are released.

Dr Mahrang Baloch and Sibghatullah Shah Ji are senior leaders of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee, an organisation that campaigns against enforced disappearances and alleged human rights violations in Balochistan. Organisers said several other BYC leaders also remain in detention.