Baloch rights activist Sammi Deen Baloch was detained by immigration officials at Karachi airport for over three hours on Sunday, sparking widespread condemnation.
The incident has drawn attention to the ongoing suppression of voices advocating for human rights in Balochistan, a region plagued by conflict and state repression. The activist took to social media to voice her outrage, accusing authorities of violating her fundamental rights by preventing her from flying abroad.
Sammi Deen Detained Without Explanation
On Sunday, Sammi Deen Baloch, an outspoken advocate for the rights of Baloch people, was stopped by immigration authorities at Karachi airport while attempting to fly out of the country.
The activist, who had all necessary travel documents including a valid visa and ticket, was detained for over three hours without any formal explanation. Her passport was confiscated, and she was held under what she described as a violation of her fundamental rights to liberty and freedom of movement.
Taking to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Sammi live-streamed her experience, sharing her frustration with her followers. “Today, the immigration officials at Karachi airport stopped me from flying abroad without providing any explanation for violating my fundamental right to liberty and freedom of movement. I was detained at immigration for over three hours, and my passport was confiscated,” she posted.
Despite her protest and social media outcry, immigration officials returned her passport after the three-hour ordeal but failed to provide any documentation or clear reason for the travel ban.
Sammi stated, “I was verbally informed that immigration was acting on written orders from the government of Balochistan. I appeal to international human rights bodies to raise their voices against this violation of rights.”
Condemnation from Human Rights Activists
The incident has sparked outrage among human rights activists and organizations, who view it as part of a broader campaign by Pakistani authorities to silence dissenting voices. Mahrang Baloch, another prominent Baloch rights activist, condemned the incident, calling it a deliberate attempt to stifle Sammi’s efforts to raise awareness about human rights violations in Balochistan.
“I am deeply irked to learn that Karachi airport authorities barred Sammi Deen from flying out of the country despite her holding a valid visa, ticket, and all necessary travel documents,” Mahrang stated. She emphasized that such actions represent a clear violation of basic human rights, including the right to freedom of movement. “This is a clear attempt not only to deny basic human rights but also to restrict information and silence voices that speak about Balochistan.”
The detention of Sammi Deen comes amidst growing concerns over the escalating crackdown on activists in Pakistan, particularly those who are vocal about human rights abuses in Balochistan.
The region has long been the site of conflict between separatist movements and the Pakistani state, and activists like Sammi have frequently been targeted for their efforts to highlight issues such as forced disappearances and extrajudicial killings.
Calls for Investigation and Accountability
As of now, there has been no official response from the Pakistani government or the immigration authorities regarding the incident. However, the travel ban imposed on Sammi Deen has fueled calls from international human rights organizations for a thorough investigation into the situation.
Sammi Deen’s advocacy for the Baloch people has brought attention to the systematic human rights abuses in Balochistan, and her detention at Karachi airport has raised alarms about the increasing use of state apparatus to muzzle activists.
Human rights organizations are demanding transparency and accountability from the Pakistani government, urging international bodies to take notice of the growing suppression of freedom of speech and movement.
The incident underscores the broader challenges faced by activists in Pakistan, particularly those advocating for the Baloch cause. With no formal explanation for the travel restrictions placed on Sammi Deen, the actions of the immigration authorities at Karachi airport are being viewed as part of a larger effort to silence critical voices.
Human rights organizations have expressed solidarity with Sammi, calling for an end to the harassment and intimidation faced by Baloch activists. The absence of an official statement from the government only adds to concerns that the state is intentionally seeking to limit the freedom of movement and speech of those who challenge the status quo.
The detention of Sammi Deen Baloch at Karachi airport is yet another alarming indication of the shrinking space for dissent in Pakistan, particularly for those advocating for human rights in Balochistan.
As Sammi’s case gains international attention, human rights bodies and activists are calling for urgent action to hold Pakistani authorities accountable and to protect the rights of activists who speak out against injustice.
In the face of mounting pressure, it remains to be seen whether the Pakistani government will address the growing criticism or continue to use repressive tactics to silence voices like Sammi Deen’s, who remain steadfast in their fight for justice and human rights in Balochistan.