LAHORE, Aug 15: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) says the reports regarding the health and welfare of three members of the Baloch Students Organization (BSO) currently being detained by law enforcement agencies are deeply worrying.

A commission statement said that it had been informed that the three men — Dr Allah Nazar, Mr Nadim Akhtar and Mr Gohar — were in precarious mental and physical health.

“The condition of Dr Allah Nazar is said to be especially grave. This is indeed hardly surprising given the long and apparently illegal detention of the men, and the physical and mental torture inflicted on them during this period.

“The three young men were among seven members of the BSO taken into custody in Karachi in March. Four of them who were released in May reported torture, degrading treatment and detention in isolation for periods extending to a month. BSO leaders in Quetta have also stated that while these three men have been produced before a court on Aug 13th and remanded in custody, other political activists including all Asghar Bungulzai, Jan Mohammad Marri, Gohram and Saleh, picked up on various occasions this year, remain in unexplained and unauthorised detention.

“It is also obvious that the illegal detentions and torture in custody are one part of a broader strategy of intimidation and harassment being pursued across the country. During the first seven months of the year, political activists, journalists and other citizens expressing dissent have all been picked up and subjected to similar intimidation. It also seems personnel of agencies and police are acting with growing impunity in carrying out such illegal acts.

“HRCP demands all illegally detained people held in the country be produced before courts, and charged if they are guilty of any unlawful act. It also calls for civil society groups to be given access to detained persons. The tactic of illegally arresting people can do nothing to dampen dissent, but will only add to the anger and frustration growing in the country, adding to the already existing threat of further violence and mayhem.”—PR