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Amid escalating Iran-Israel conflict, BASC urges world not to ignore Iran’s oppression of Baloch people

As the conflict escalates between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Israel, the Baloch Advocacy and Studies Center (BASC) urges the international community not to overlook the ongoing repression and deepening humanitarian crisis faced by the Baloch people under the Iranian regime.

The Baloch, an indigenous people primarily residing in Iran’s southeastern region of Balochistan, have long endured systematic cultural, economic and socio-political oppression. For decades, they have been among the most persistently persecuted people in Iran. Independent human rights organisations have documented widespread abuses in the region, including extrajudicial executions, arbitrary arrests, and a chokehold on peaceful demonstrations, acts that stand in direct violation of Iran’s obligations under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

In recent months, the Iranian regime has escalated its repression, with Baloch men and women of all ages being executed without fair trials. Political prisoners are subjected to torture, while their families remain uninformed about their fate. Entire villages have been forcibly evacuated to clear land for state use.

According to Abdullah Aref, Deputy General Secretary and Head of the Iran Desk in the Research Department at BASC, “We are the forgotten victims of this authoritarian regime. While the world focuses on the geopolitical dimensions of the Iran-Israel conflict, the daily suffering of the Baloch population is being ignored. We live in constant fear of arbitrary detention and execution.”

The recent conflict has raised concerns of further escalation in the Baloch region. The regime may exploit the conflict as a pretext to intensify crackdowns, expand arbitrary arrests, and increase executions, all under the guise of national security. Severe communication restrictions, including internet shutdowns, are also feared, further hindering the reporting and documentation of human rights abuses.

With national resources redirected to military efforts, poverty and the denial of basic services to the Baloch population are expected to worsen. Balochistan heavily depends on food and medical supplies from central Iran and cross-border trade with Pakistan. These supply lines are now disrupted due to border closures. Already, the Baloch population across the southeastern border in Balochistan, Pakistan, is beginning to feel the pressure of shortages, made worse by a lack of government support mechanisms. If the situation persists, the region risks facing a complete blockade, leading to famine, medicine shortages, a collapsed healthcare system, and a severe humanitarian crisis.

“We are not merely witnessing a human rights crisis; this is a humanitarian emergency unfolding in real time,” said Fariba Baloch, President of BASC. “We urgently call for international attention, support, and preventive action before it is too late.”

BASC is committed to working collaboratively with international partners, institutions, and regional governments to develop solutions that prioritise human rights, regional stability, and unimpeded humanitarian access for the Baloch people. BASC calls on the international community, including the United Nations, the European Union, and international humanitarian organisations, to:

• Recommend immediate access for independent observers to assess the human rights and humanitarian conditions in Sistan and Baluchestan.

• Push for an end to executions and the release of arbitrarily detained Baloch prisoners.

• Provide urgent humanitarian assistance to the Baloch region affected by the blockade.

• Ensure the plight of indigenous Baloch and other oppressed peoples is at the centre of Middle East diplomacy and central to all discussions on regional human rights and security.

London, 18 June 2025

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Legalising the illegal acts

The Balochistan Assembly, on June 4, passed the Anti-Terrorism (Balochistan Amendment) Act 2025, a new law that gives sweeping powers to the already powerful security forces operating in Balochistan. This legislation was introduced by amending the already flawed federal Anti-Terrorism Act of 1997, originally enacted by Pakistan’s National Assembly. Since anti-terrorism legislation falls within the Federal Legislative List, the Balochistan Assembly has no constitutional or legal authority to amend such a federal law. The passage of this amendment not only raises serious legal concerns but also highlights the Assembly’s indirect subservience to Pakistan’s military establishment.

The new legislation has been met with strong criticism from rights groups, legal experts, and civil society, who warn it could further fuel repression and unrest in the region.

The legislation allows military and intelligence agencies, including the Pakistan Army and ISI, to detain individuals for up to 90 days without filing any formal charges or presenting them in court. This can be done purely on the basis of suspicion, with no requirement for judicial oversight.

Joint Investigation Teams (JITs), composed of police and intelligence operatives, have been handed expanded authority to issue detention orders, conduct ideological profiling, and carry out searches and seizures without prior judicial approval. Military personnel will now also have a formal role in civilian oversight panels.

Critics warn the law blurs the line between civil policing and military operations, paving the way for mass surveillance and state repression, particularly targeting the Baloch population.

Human rights organisations, including Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and local watchdogs, have slammed the legislation, calling it a clear violation of constitutional protections and international law, particularly Article 10 of Pakistan's Constitution and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which Pakistan has ratified.

Enforced disappearances have haunted Balochistan for decades. Numerous families continue to search for missing loved ones, some unaccounted for after 15 to 20 years, abducted by the security forces of Pakistan.

This piece of new and extra law is effectively legitimising the draconian state practices, turning Balochistan into a legalised detention centre in Pakistan. Pakistan’s security forces are using all state institutions to cover up and legalise the heinous crimes they are committing against the Baloch people. The collective punishment of the Baloch needs immediate international attention, and Pakistan has to be held accountable for such crimes against humanity.

London, 15 June 2025

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Baloch Advocacy and Studies Center warns of global risks as Iran breaches nuclear deal and escalates repression.

The Baloch Advocacy and Studies Center (BASC) is deeply concerned by the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) latest report, which confirms that Iran has violated its nuclear obligations for the first time since 2012. The report says Iran has enriched uranium close to weapons-grade levels and has blocked important inspections. This is a serious development with major risks for the Middle East and the world.

As an organisation committed to the promotion of peace and protection of human rights, particularly for the Baloch people, we are deeply troubled by the Iranian regime’s continued defiance of international norms. The increasing militarisation of the Iranian state, combined with its oppressive domestic policies and systemic persecution of indigenous peoples, including disproportionate executions of Baloch prisoners, underscores the dangers of such a regime possessing advanced nuclear capabilities.

Iran’s nuclear program has far-reaching consequences beyond regional security, severely affecting its citizens, particularly those in Balochistan. The lack of safety measures and health monitoring around uranium enrichment and nuclear waste disposal poses serious environmental and health risks to local populations. At the same time, vast public funds are diverted to nuclear development while essential services like healthcare, education, clean water, and infrastructure remain neglected in the country. Voices of dissent, including journalists, environmental advocates, and human rights defenders, are routinely silenced through intimidation, imprisonment, or worse. The regime further uses “national security” as a justification to intensify internal repression, particularly targeting those who speak out against its policies.

Unchecked nuclear development by a state with a long record of rights abuses and regional aggression is a danger not only to its citizens but to the entire Middle East and beyond. Now is the time for principled international action grounded in both non-proliferation and human rights.

We call on the international community, particularly the UN Security Council and European governments, to:

1.⁠ ⁠Hold Iran accountable for its nuclear violations through robust diplomatic and legal mechanisms.

2.⁠ ⁠Ensure any renewed nuclear negotiations are conditioned upon Iran’s full cooperation with the IAEA and tangible improvements in its human rights record.

3.⁠ ⁠Support the voices of civil society and oppressed peoples, including the Baloch, who bear the brunt of Iran's internal repression and whose security is further endangered by regional militarisation.

London, 12 June 2025

Launch of the Baloch Advocacy and Studies Center (BASC)

We are proud to announce the official launch of the Baloch Advocacy and Studies Center (BASC), an independent, non-partisan organisation committed to exposing and addressing the ongoing human rights violations faced by the Baloch people in Western Balochistan (Iran) and Eastern Balochistan (Pakistan).

The Baloch remain one of the most systematically oppressed and least internationally recognised peoples in the region. BASC is founded by a team of experienced human rights defenders, writers, and researchers to fill a critical gap in global advocacy. Our mission is to center the Baloch struggle for rights and self-determination within a professional, research-based framework that communicates effectively with international institutions, policy-makers, and global media.

BASC employs modern data verification tools, advanced data analysis, and rigorous methodology to ensure its findings are credible, actionable, and aligned with international standards. Our reports are designed to inform and engage governments, human rights organisations, and global institutions, contributing to meaningful policy change and greater accountability.

In addition to documentation, BASC recognises the unique challenges faced by the Baloch diaspora, many of whom have fled persecution only to face new forms of vulnerability in exile. We work to empower them by transforming displacement into resilience, supporting advocacy, offering tools and platforms, and building networks that boost their voices on the international stage.

By bridging local realities with global awareness, BASC aims to ensure that the suffering of the Baloch people is no longer overlooked. We are committed to making their voices heard and turning that awareness into lasting, impactful change.