Quetta, June 16: Leaders of the Baloch Unity Committee (BYC) staged a protest inside Huda Jail in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan. Their demonstration was against what they termed a “faceless” trial, which they consider “unconstitutional, illegal,” and contrary to the fundamental principles of transparent justice.
The BYC issued a statement regarding the protest, which continued for the third consecutive day. The organization alleges that the Pakistani prison administration has imposed strict restrictions within the jail.
According to the BYC, “No one is being allowed entry inside the jail. Our leaders’ family members and lawyers wait for hours but are unable to meet them.” The organization expressed concern that state institutions might exert pressure or attempt to harass the detained leaders under these circumstances.
The BYC demands that the legal and human rights of political prisoners be respected, all ongoing “illegal actions” within the jail be halted immediately, and the “faceless trials” against their leaders be terminated.
The organization stated that its leaders have been detained for the past 14 months without any legitimate charges. During this time, various methods, including physical remand and mental and physical torture, have been employed to weaken their leadership. The shift from open court hearings to jail trials and now to “faceless proceedings” indicates that these decisions are based on the exercise of power rather than the rule of law.
Meanwhile, several leaders, including chief organizer Mehrang Baloch, have been imprisoned in central Huda Jail since March 2025. Human rights activists have raised global concerns regarding their detention, labeling it as based on “false and politically motivated charges.”
Additionally, the Baloch National Movement (BNM) has expressed serious concerns regarding the judicial proceedings against Mehrang Baloch and her associates, describing it as a “mock judicial process.”
The BNM stated that Pakistan’s justice system operates as a “puppet system” under military control. They claim that a “faceless court” has been established within Huda Jail, through which these cases are being heard. This process mocks justice and reflects the abuse of power by the rulers.
Leave a Comment