In a move that has drawn sharp criticism from international observers, the United Nations experts have denounced the sentencing of Pakistani human rights activist Mahrang Baloch to two terms of life imprisonment. The verdict, issued by a court in Quetta, Pakistan, has been labeled a “travesty” of justice by UN representatives, who argue that it reflects a troubling misuse of counter-terrorism laws aimed at silencing human rights activism and curtailing freedom of association.
Mahrang Baloch, a leader of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), has been a vocal advocate for the rights of the Baloch community in Pakistan. She was convicted alongside another member of the BYC in connection with the death of a Frontier Corps officer during a protest in July 2024. The protests were sparked by allegations of discrimination, enforced disappearances, and the unlawful appropriation of local communities’ lands for mining and foreign investment projects. According to the court’s decision, their actions were classified as terrorism under the Anti-Terrorism Act based on a perceived common intent to murder the officer.
The UN experts highlighted serious procedural issues related to the trial, alluding to violations of fundamental rights such as the right to attend the trial in person and the ability to appoint legal counsel. These rights are enshrined in international law, including Article 10 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The experts also emphasized the importance of ensuring that counter-terrorism laws are not used as tools to undermine freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. Further details on this can be found through JURIST.
This incident is part of a broader pattern of alleged human rights abuses against activists in Pakistan. In 2025, Amnesty International publicly called on Pakistan to halt its crackdown on Baloch activists, following the arrest of several BYC members, including Mahrang Baloch. Similarly, in January 2026, the sentencing of two human rights lawyers for social media posts supporting BYC activists was condemned by the UN. Concerns have also been raised over the detention conditions of Idris Khattak, further putting Pakistan’s human rights record under scrutiny.
The UN has appealed to Pakistan to safeguard individuals from abuses related to investment projects affecting local communities. Companies, meanwhile, are urged to adhere to the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, which emphasize human rights due diligence. The situation serves as a stark illustration of the ongoing challenges faced by human rights defenders in regions where state interests frequently intersect with activism.