Sammi Deen Baloch (Balochi: سمی دین بلۏچ) is a human rights activist and a leader of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC).[1] She serves as the General Secretary of Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP).[2][3] Over the last 15 years, Sammi has been a prominent advocate for the rights of Baloch people, including the case of her father, Deen Muhammad Baloch, and other missing individuals from Balochistan.[4][5][6][7][8]
Sammi Deen Baloch | |
|---|---|
| سمی دین بلۏچ | |
| Born | 30 March 1998 (age 26) |
| Education | Bachelors in Media Science |
| Occupation | Human rights activist |
| Organization(s) | Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP) |
| Known for | Human rights activism |
| Father | Deen Muhammad Baloch |
| Awards | Front Line Defenders Award (2024) |
Her advocacy has drawn attention to enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and other human rights abuses in Balochistan. In recognition of her efforts, she was honored with the Front Line Defenders Award 2024 in Ireland.[1]
In July 2024, Sammi, along with Sabiha Baloch and other members of the BYC, was arrested during the Baloch Raji Muchi protests in Gwadar, where security forces killed three protesters and injured dozens.[9]
Activism
editSammi is involved in advocating against enforced disappearances in Balochistan by law enforcement agencies.[10] She walked from Quetta to Islamabad in 2014, demanding the safe release of her father, Dr. Deen Muhammad, and other missing individuals.[11] Since then, she has played a key role in the Baloch resistance movement, addressing issues such as enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and human rights violations in Balochistan by Pakistani institutions.[12][13][14][15][16]
Sammi Baloch has been honored with the Asia Pacific Human Rights Award for 2024, presented by Front Line Defenders. The award ceremony took place in Dublin, Ireland.[17][18]
On September 8, 2024, Sammi was barred from leaving the country while she was about to travel from Pakistan to Oman. She was placed on the Exit Control List (ECL) by authorities. According to Baluch, no specific reason was provided for the travel restriction, and is believed that she was stopped due to her human rights activism in Balochistan.[19]
References
edit- ^ a b "Sammi Deen Baloch honoured with human rights award". The News International. 31 May 2024. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
- ^ "More than 5,000 people are missing in Balochistan. I want my father back". The Guardian. 6 July 2022. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
- ^ Baloch, Sammi Deen (28 December 2023). "From Balochistan to Islamabad: Why I have been marching since I was 12". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
- ^ Baloch, Islam Murad (28 June 2023). "Release Dr Deen Mohammad Baloch". Pressenza. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
- ^ Baloch, Sammi Deen (28 December 2023). "From Balochistan to Islamabad: Why I have been marching since I was 12". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
- ^ Dawn.com (26 December 2023). "Baloch protesters allege harassment by unknown individuals amid police presence". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
- ^ "In Balochistan, Families Demand Answers for Forced Disappearances". thediplomat.com. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
- ^ Pk, Voice (28 June 2023). "Dr Deen Muhammad Baloch: 14 years on and still missing". Voicepk.net. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
- ^ "Pakistan: Repeated punitive crackdowns on Baloch protests must end". Amnesty International. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
- ^ "Pakistan: Marching for the thousands who disappeared in Balochistan". 3 February 2024. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
- ^ "The Women Fighting Enforced Disappearances in Pakistan". The Friday Times. 8 March 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
- ^ Guramani, Nadir (28 December 2023). "Baloch protesters give govt 7-day ultimatum to meet demands". Dawn. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
- ^ Mitra, Esha (21 January 2024). "Pakistani Women Are Demanding Answers for Enforced Disappearances and Killings". Truthout. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
- ^ ANI (16 January 2024). "Baloch activists meet with UN officials; discuss human rights crisis in Balochistan". ThePrint. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
- ^ "IHC stops authorities from forcing Baloch protesters to end Islamabad sit-in". www.geo.tv. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
- ^ Baloch, Sammi Deen (28 December 2023). "From Balochistan to Islamabad: Why I have been marching since I was 12". Retrieved 29 January 2024.
- ^ "Sammi Deen Baloch honoured with human rights award". The News International. 31 May 2024. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
- ^ "Sammi Deen Baloch". Front Line Defenders. 28 May 2024. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
- ^ Desk, News (8 September 2024). "Sammi Deen Baloch Claims She Was Prevented From Travelling Abroad". thefridaytimes.com. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
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