Dr. Mahrang Baloch, leader of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), has revealed that she was offered her freedom from prison and a residence in Europe if she agreed to abandon her political activism. In a statement issued from Huda Jail in Quetta, she shared these details, emphasizing her unwavering commitment to the cause of her people.

She described the life imprisonment sentence handed down to Gul Zadi Baloch as more than just a judicial verdict; she saw it as another example of the ongoing undermining of justice in Balochistan. She pointed out that this sentence symbolizes the suppression of peaceful political voices striving for justice and rights in the region.

Dr. Mahrang questioned the integrity of the court proceedings, raising concerns about judicial independence and impartiality. She noted that questions arise when witnesses are cross-examined without the presence of defense counsel, and when the accused and their lawyers are absent during key rulings, raising doubts about the fairness of the process.

She emphasized that Gul Zadi Baloch was a colleague and a fellow member of their political movement. While she acknowledged that she herself could face life imprisonment in an effort to silence her, she stated that her voice and the voice against injustice could not be imprisoned or silenced by incarceration.

She further highlighted that the pressure on BYC members extended beyond legal cases and imprisonment. She alleged that Nazar Marri Baloch, an active member of BYC, had been forcibly disappeared for the past year, underscoring the ongoing pattern of state repression.

Addressing the ongoing calls for negotiations, Dr. Mahrang questioned how meaningful dialogue could take place while BYC members remained behind bars, their legal rights constrained, and pressure continued to be exerted to force them to abandon their political struggle.

She stated that during supposed “negotiation processes,” persistent pressure was applied on BYC to withdraw from its peaceful activism. She claimed that authorities told them all judges were under military control and that any applications they submitted would be disregarded, further illustrating the environment of suppression.

Despite these oppressive circumstances, Dr. Mahrang and her colleagues chose to pursue political engagement and dialogue. She emphasized that they belonged to a movement fighting for the fundamental rights of the Baloch people and that they had never refused to engage in negotiations over those rights.

She noted that, even amid pressure, BYC submitted its annual report on missing persons to the Balochistan Home Department. She described this act as evidence of the organization’s responsible and transparent conduct, committed to addressing the human rights violations it documents.

Rejecting what she called “political engineering” disguised as negotiations, Dr. Mahrang reaffirmed that BYC’s struggle was for the basic rights and justice of the Baloch people, not for any individual or personal gain. She made it clear that their mission was rooted in principles of dignity and resistance.

She recounted that after rejecting the authorities’ proposals, a military negotiating team told her she would remain in prison until she accepted their demands. She alleged that the judge had also been instructed to act according to these demands, further exposing the coercive environment in which they operate.

She revealed that she was offered the release of one individual if she agreed to the demands, with that person then expected to leave and implement the proposals. Additionally, she was told she could settle in Europe for two or three years as part of the offer.

Dr. Mahrang rejected these offers, reiterating that her political struggle was not for temporary concessions, privileges, or personal interests. She made it clear that her commitment was to the cause of her people and their fundamental rights.

She emphasized that BYC had made it clear it would not participate in what she called a “selected parliament” controlled by military interests rather than the people. She reaffirmed that she would not leave Balochistan to seek refuge elsewhere, reaffirming her loyalty to her homeland and its people.

Her stance was firm: if imprisonment was the price of fighting for justice, she was willing to pay it. She stated her intent to continue her political activities from behind bars, standing firm in her resolve.

Dr. Mahrang argued that the core political issue in Balochistan could not be resolved through force or coercion. She pointed out that the imprisonment of BYC leaders and enforced disappearances of activists had failed to bring peace to the region.

She referred to the sentences handed down by what she called “kangaroo courts” and considered them a badge of honor. Despite the resources and propaganda used against them, she said the resolve of her colleagues remained unbroken and strong.

She stressed that she would not betray the trust of the Baloch people or compromise her principles. Loyalty to her people and their cause remained her top priority, more valuable than any personal benefit or advantage.

In conclusion, Dr. Mahrang reaffirmed that neither imprisonment nor legal sentences could break the spirit of the Baloch resistance. She vowed that, if released, she would continue to stand with the families of missing persons, the families of martyrs, and all oppressed Baloch who have sacrificed for their rights.

Her steadfastness, she said, was rooted in her unwavering belief in justice, dignity, and the liberation of her homeland. She remains committed to her political struggle, no matter the costs, for the rightful future of Balochistan.