New Delhi: Activists, lawyers and civil society in Pakistan came in support of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan chairman Asad Iqbal Butt after he was detained in Karachi “without any solid reason”. Though he was released after a few hours, several activists condemned the detention and called it an ‘intimidation tactic designed to stifle the voice of human rights defenders like Mr Butt’.
Butt was reportedly questioned about visiting Quetta and participating in an agitation on enforced disappearances in Balochistan.
Mahrang Baloch, organiser of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee, condemned the detention and said that it is reflective of the ‘oppression and tyranny of the state military’ in Balochistan.
“He was harassed about participating in the Baloch National Gathering, which is being held in Gwadar on July 28, and was told to stay away from cases related to the enforced disappearances of Baloch people….when state police unlawfully detain the chairperson of an independent human rights organization in a city like Karachi, one can only imagine the kind of oppression and tyranny the state military is involved in Balochistan, where there is neither media presence nor internet,” she wrote on X.
The gathering, announced by Mahrang Baloch via video conference, this event aims to unite the Baloch community against severe human rights abuses and genocide. Mahrang highlighted issues such as enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and socio-economic exploitation affecting the Baloch people.
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A history of abductions
Historically, there have been numerous cases of killings, arrests, intimidation, torture, and abductions targeting individuals who raise concerns about human rights abuses in Pakistan.
After his release, Butt in an interview with Express Tribune said that he was released because of mounting media pressure.
“It is illegal and against human rights,” he said, adding that he was specifically questioned about HRCP’s support to Baloch activists.
The human rights wing of the Baloch National Movement, PAANK, also condemned the recent arrest of Asad Butt, describing it as an effort to “suppress legitimate human rights advocacy”, asserting that Butt’s interrogation seems designed to undermine efforts to seek justice for the families of missing Baloch individuals.
Journalist Munizae Jahangir, daughter of HRCP founder late Asma Jahangir, wrote on X that this was the first instance when a chairperson of HRCP had been detained for interrogation.
Journalist Naiman Khan questioned the arrest and asked what message his detention by the police sent to the world.
Imran Khan’s PTI too put out a statement and said that the detention was “a tactic of intimidation designed to break the spirit of activists and organisations fighting for basic human rights”.
“The #EnforcedDisappearances have become a grim norm in Pakistan. This insidious practice undermines the very fabric of justice and humanity. The arbitrary detention of Butt, the chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) @HRCP87, is yet another glaring example of this horrific trend. These are systematic assaults on civil liberties and human dignity,” it wrote.
It further added that the detention is “a brutal reminder that in Pakistan, the rule of law is often overridden by the whims of those in power. The silence, inaction, or outright complicity of authorities only exacerbates the situation, creating an environment where abuses can continue unchecked.”
Riaz Baloch, another Baloch activist said it shows that Pakistan has the “law of the jungle”.
(Edited by Theres Sudeep)