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Karima Baloch
Karima Baloch
Karima Baloch
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Karima Baloch (Balochi: کریمه بلۏچ; 8 March 1983[6] – 20/22 December 2020),[7] also known as Karima Mehrab (کریمہ محراب),[8][9][10] was a Baloch human rights activist from Balochistan, Pakistan.[11] She was the first female chairperson of the Baloch Students Organization (BSO). She was included in the 100 Women List by the BBC in 2016, where she was identified as a political activist campaigning for the "independence for Balochistan from Pakistan."[12]

Key Information

In 2015, Karima fled Pakistan and took refuge in Canada after fearing for her life for speaking out against enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings allegedly carried out by the Pakistani military. On 22 December 2020, her dead body was found submerged at Toronto's waterfront under circumstances that were described as suspicious by her family, as well as several politicians and activists including the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), who claimed she was murdered by the Pakistani state. Despite Canadian authorities ruling her death as "non-criminal," her death raised significant concerns and demands for further investigation.[13][5][14]

Activist career

[edit]

Baloch started her career as a human rights and independence activist in 2005, when she attended a protest in Turbat over forced disappearances in the Pakistani province of Balochistan, where she carried a picture of one of her missing relatives.[15] She joined the Baloch Students Organization (BSO) in 2006, serving in several different positions and eventually becoming the organization's chairperson in 2015.[15] During these years, Baloch travelled all over Balochistan, organizing outreach programs such as protests and rallies. A 2014 OZY article about her states, "In Islamabad, Pakistan's capital, Karima is seen as a dangerous political actor and a threat to the nation’s security. Meanwhile, a thousand kilometers southwest, deep inside Balochistan, she's a local hero and a beacon of hope."[16]

In an interview in 2014, she said,[17]

For us, peaceful struggle has been turned into a lethal poison. During the previous three years, many of our members have been brutally killed and thousands have been abducted. Two months back, the chairman of my organization was kidnapped right in front of my eyes. Before that, in 2009, the vice-chairman of our organization Zakir Majeed was kidnapped by the secret services while he was attending a crowded procession. He is still missing. [...] the noose has been tightened around our necks.

Exile from Pakistan

[edit]

In 2015, Baloch went into self-imposed exile after terrorism charges were filed against her by the Government of Pakistan,[18]) with her younger sister Mahganj Baloch stating that, "She didn't go abroad because she wanted to, but because... open activism in Pakistan had become impossible."[14] A year later, in 2016, she was granted asylum in Canada, where she lived until her disappearance and death in December 2020.[19] In 2016, following Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's public speech on India's Independence Day in which he mentioned the situation in Pakistani Balochistan, Baloch addressed him in a video and thanked him for mentioning the issue, stating: "We will fight our own war, you just be our voice" (translation).[20][21]

Baloch was included in the 100 Women List by the BBC in 2016, where she was identified as a political activist who "campaigns for independence for Balochistan from Pakistan".[12][22][23] Baloch listed Dad Shah and Hatun Bibi—both Baloch rebels who fought against the Imperial State of Iran in Iranian Balochistan—as the primary inspirations behind her activism.[17] In 2018, she raised issues related to gender inequality in Pakistan at the United Nations Human Rights Council.[24] She also raised issues related to Balochistan in Canada, such as during a meeting in Toronto, where she mentioned Pakistani Military's role in Balochistan.[25]

In December 2017, Baloch received a message that if she won't return to Pakistan, her uncle Noor Mohammed, a schoolteacher, will be killed. As she refused to go back, a few hours before her asylum hearing, on 2 January 2018, she got the news that her uncle had been found dead.[26]

Personal life and family

[edit]

Baloch had two siblings, a brother named Sameer Mehrab[27] and a sister named Mahganj Baloch.[14][28] She married a fellow Baloch activist, Hammal Baloch (also known as Hammal Haider), in Toronto.[28][11] Several members of her extended family have been linked to the Balochistan insurgency in Pakistan and Iran.[28]

Disappearance and death

[edit]
A protest in Pakistan following the discovery of Karima Baloch's body in Canada. Protests were held in Pakistani cities including in Lahore and Karachi.[29]

Baloch was last seen alive on 20 December 2020.[30][31] On 22 December 2020, her dead body was found submerged at the Toronto waterfront.[32][33] The Toronto Police Service initially reported that her body was found near Lake Ontario, although no further details were given.[28] CBC News reported that a close friend and fellow Baloch activist, Lateef Johar, said that "officers had told her family she was found drowned in the water".[34] Small-scale protests demanding an investigation into her death occurred in Pakistani Balochistan and Canada;[35][36] ethnic Baloch, Pashtun and Sindhi minority groups in Canada issued a joint statement in this regard.[37] Canadian police acknowledged the concerns around Baloch's death, but stated that they had found no evidence of foul play,[35] and concluded that her death was "non-criminal".[38][19] In Canada, Baloch received multiple threats. As recalled by her husband, a few days before her death she received a message that said “You will receive a Christmas Gift for your deeds”.[39] Chris Alexander, the former Canadian Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, stated in a tweet: "All of us who knew Karima see the circumstances of her death as deeply suspicious. We must leave no stone unturned in uncovering & confronting the reality of what happened to her."[13] CBC News documents the story of Baloch's activism and her death in the podcast "The Kill List".[40]

Baloch's husband Hammal Haider openly blames the Pakistani military, especially the Pakistani ISI, for her killing.[41] A few months before her death Sajid Hussain, a journalist who wrote about human rights violations in Balochistan, was found drowned in Sweden, where he had sought asylum.[11]

Her inclusion in the BBC 100 list as a Baloch woman was repeated in 2024 when the Iranian Zhina Modares Gorji bookseller was also named for her struggle for freedom of speech.[42]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Karima Baloch

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from Grokipedia
Karima Baloch (c. 1983 – 21 December 2020) was a Baloch human rights activist from Pakistan's province, recognized for her leadership in protesting enforced disappearances attributed to state security forces and her role as the first woman to chair the Baloch Students Organization-Azad, a student group advocating Baloch cultural and political rights. Beginning her activism in 2005 amid regional unrest, Baloch faced arrests and threats, prompting her flight to in 2014 where she received asylum in 2016 and continued international advocacy against alleged Pakistani military abuses in , a resource-rich area marked by longstanding separatist . Baloch's body was discovered in Toronto's two days after she was reported missing on 20 December 2020; the investigation concluded as the cause of death with no evidence of foul play or external involvement, though her family and Baloch activists rejected the suicide determination, citing her resilience and persistent threats from Pakistani intelligence even in . Her death drew attention to the broader Baloch community's claims of targeted killings abroad, amid Pakistan's official denials of systematic disappearances and assertions that such activism supports armed militancy rather than verifiable concerns.

Background

Early Life and Education

Karima Baloch, born Karima Mehrab on March 8, 1983, in Tump, Kech District, , was raised in a family with ties to Baloch political activism amid the province's longstanding separatist insurgency. She completed her primary and secondary education at Tump Girls High School in her hometown. Baloch then pursued intermediate studies and obtained her Higher Secondary School Certificate (FSC) from Tump Inter College. For higher education, she enrolled at the in , engaging in campus life during a period of heightened political tension in the region.

Activism

Domestic Activities in Pakistan

Karima Baloch began her activism in in 2005 by participating in a in , , against enforced disappearances of Baloch individuals by state security forces. In 2006, she joined the (BSO-Azad), a student group advocating for Baloch rights and opposing perceived state oppression in the region, eventually rising to its central committee. By 2013, Baloch had become the first woman to chair the BSO-Azad, breaking traditional gender norms within Baloch society and using the position to organize demonstrations highlighting abuses, including extrajudicial killings and disappearances attributed to Pakistani intelligence agencies. Her leadership involved leading peaceful rallies, such as one on August 14 against military operations in , where she criticized the Pakistani armed forces for aggression and resource exploitation in the province. Baloch's activities extended to advocating for Baloch , emphasizing resistance to patriarchal and state-imposed restrictions, while framing Balochistan's grievances within a broader of national . These efforts drew repeated threats and arrests; in 2008, she faced charges in court linked to her involvement, and by June 2009, a Pakistani court sentenced her to three years' imprisonment and a fine of 150,000 rupees for activities deemed anti-state. Throughout her , Baloch coordinated with other Baloch nationalist groups to document and publicize cases of missing persons, estimating thousands affected in since the early insurgency escalation, though i officials often denied systematic involvement and attributed disappearances to militant actions. Her domestic work intensified scrutiny from authorities, culminating in failed arrest attempts by military and intelligence personnel before her departure from in late 2014 amid escalating personal risks.

International Efforts in Exile

After fleeing in late 2014 due to threats against her life, Baloch arrived in and was granted asylum in 2016, where she resided primarily in . From , she sustained her of the Baloch Students Organization-Azad (BSO-Azad), focusing on mobilizing the to publicize alleged Pakistani military abuses, including enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings in . Baloch extended her advocacy to global platforms, notably addressing the during its 39th session in on September 25, 2018. In her speech, she condemned for permitting religious groups to undermine , stating that "if a raises her voice against enforced disappearances, she is branded a traitor," and highlighted systemic gender discrimination intertwined with political repression in . This intervention aimed to draw international scrutiny to Baloch-specific grievances, positioning her as a bridge between local resistance and broader discourse. In , Baloch leveraged and in-person engagements to amplify Balochistan's issues, collaborating with networks to organize protests and awareness campaigns against state-sponsored violence. Her efforts earned recognition, including BBC's 2016 list of 100 inspiring women, underscoring her role in elevating Baloch advocacy amid ongoing threats that persisted into .

Personal Life

Family and Relationships

Karima Baloch married Hammal Haider, a fellow Baloch activist also living in in , in following her arrival there in 2014. The couple resided together in the city, where Haider publicly expressed concerns over her safety amid ongoing threats from Pakistani authorities even after their relocation. She was the daughter of Mehrab Baloch and Jamila Baloch, born on February 10, 1983, in to Baloch parents temporarily residing there before the family relocated to Tump village in around age seven. Her brother, Sameer Mehrab, and sister, Mahganj Baloch, have been vocal advocates following her death, echoing family demands for further scrutiny into the circumstances. Baloch hailed from a family with deep ties to Baloch nationalist activism; multiple relatives, including cousins like Ali Baloch who was reportedly abducted in 2014, faced enforced disappearances or detentions by Pakistani security forces, influencing her own commitment to the cause. Her mother, , later recounted in interviews a reluctance to see Karima marry, fearing it would distance her from amid the perils of , though no such union occurred until her .

Death and Investigation

Circumstances of Disappearance

Karima Baloch, residing in as a since fleeing in 2015, was last seen on December 20, 2020, when she left her home for a walk near the city's waterfront. Her family reported her missing that evening after she failed to return, prompting Toronto police to issue a public appeal for information, describing her as a 37-year-old woman of South Asian descent wearing dark clothing. At the time of her disappearance, Baloch was pursuing graduate studies at the and had been actively involved in Baloch advocacy from , though no immediate connection to specific threats was reported in initial police statements. Her husband later noted that she had appeared distressed in the days prior, citing pressures from ongoing activism and family concerns in , but emphasized her resilience against such challenges. Police searches focused on the Harbourfront area, a location Baloch frequented, leading to the recovery of her body submerged in near the downtown waterfront on December 21, 2020. Initial assessments by authorities found no indications of suspicious circumstances surrounding the disappearance or recovery, attributing it preliminarily to a non-criminal incident pending further investigation.

Official Findings and Autopsy

recovered the body of Karima Baloch from near Toronto's waterfront on December 21, 2020, approximately one day after she was reported missing following a walk in the area. The investigation determined the death to be non-criminal, with no suspicious circumstances identified. An autopsy conducted by the Office of the Chief Coroner for revealed no evidence of foul play, trauma, or external injuries indicative of . The cause of death was ruled as , consistent with immersion in cold water leading to and submersion. results, while not publicly detailed, supported the absence of substances that would suggest forced incapacitation. Police statements emphasized that the circumstances aligned with a non-suspicious incident, closing the case without recommending further criminal probes. Although some secondary reports described the ruling as a "textbook " based on private communications with investigators, official releases from Police avoided explicit classification as , focusing instead on the lack of criminality. Detailed and investigative reports remain confidential under Canadian privacy laws, limiting public verification of specifics beyond the non-criminal determination.

Controversies

Accusations of Foul Play

Baloch's family and supporters, including her husband Hammal Haider, rejected the Toronto police's preliminary conclusion of no foul play, demanding a more thorough investigation into her death on December 22, 2020. Haider stated publicly that he could not believe the death was a suicide, emphasizing Baloch's active role in advocacy and lack of indicators of mental distress. Baloch activists and dissidents accused Pakistani intelligence agencies of orchestrating her killing, pointing to a pattern of suspicious among Baloch abroad, such as Sajid Hussain's 2017 in , which Swedish authorities also ruled non-criminal despite family doubts. These claims were bolstered by Baloch's history of receiving threats from Pakistani sources prior to her in 2015, as well as her vocal criticism of enforced disappearances and military operations in . Her sister Mahjan Baloch described the death as a significant loss to the Baloch national movement, implying targeted elimination rather than or self-harm, amid broader allegations of Pakistan's transnational repression of dissidents. Supporters organized protests in and other cities, framing the incident as part of ongoing state-sponsored violence against Baloch separatists, though no linking Pakistani entities to the Toronto events has been publicly verified by Canadian authorities.

Alternative Explanations and Skepticism

Toronto Police Service concluded that Karima Baloch's death on December 21, 2020, was a by , based on an that revealed no signs of foul play or external trauma, and a thorough investigation yielding no of criminal involvement. This determination aligns with the absence of defensive wounds, foreign substances, or suspicious items at the scene near Toronto's waterfront, where her body was recovered after she went missing on December 20. Skepticism toward accusations of murder, primarily leveled by Baloch separatist groups and her family against Pakistan's , stems from the lack of corroborating forensic or despite extensive claims of transnational targeting. These allegations often rely on circumstantial factors, such as Baloch's history of receiving threats in and her high-profile , but Canadian authorities, unbound by Pakistani influence, found no operational traces like or accomplices. Sources advancing foul play narratives, including activist networks with incentives to amplify grievances, exhibit potential bias toward portraying state persecution without independent verification, contrasting with the empirical weight of the autopsy and police forensics. Alternative explanations beyond include accidental during a walk—though discounted by investigators due to the deliberate path to deep water—or induced by cumulative stressors, such as isolation from family, ongoing fears, and the psychological toll of protracted without resolution. No prior diagnoses are documented, and associates described her as resilient with improving circumstances, including student life in , yet the absence of a does not preclude the ruling, as notes occur in under 30% of cases per general forensic data. Over three years later, no new evidence has overturned the official findings, underscoring the challenges in attributing causality to geopolitical motives absent material proof.

Impact and Perspectives

Influence on Baloch Separatism

Karima Baloch served as the first female chairperson of the Baloch Students Organization-Azad (BSO-Azad) from 2014 to 2015, leading the group in its advocacy for Baloch rights amid Pakistan's alleged military operations in . Under her leadership, BSO-Azad, which has historically called for greater or for the resource-rich , organized protests and campaigns highlighting enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings attributed to Pakistani forces. Her tenure marked a shift toward increased youth mobilization, with Baloch students crediting her for revitalizing the organization's grassroots presence across despite state crackdowns. Baloch's activism emphasized empowering Baloch women in the separatist struggle, challenging traditional gender roles by encouraging their participation in political resistance and against perceived Pakistani . She traveled extensively in to reorganize BSO-Azad chapters, fostering a new generation of activists focused on national liberation narratives that frame 's underdevelopment and abuses as deliberate policies by . In exile after fleeing in 2015 due to threats, she continued amplifying these demands internationally, including through speeches and media appearances that drew global scrutiny to the . Her inclusion in BBC's 100 Women list in elevated the visibility of Baloch separatist grievances, portraying her as a symbol of resistance against Pakistan's control over the province. Baloch nationalists view her as a catalyst for women's involvement in the movement, with subsequent protests—such as those following her 2020 death—citing her legacy as inspiration for sustained defiance, including by female-led groups in recent insurgent activities. Separatist sources maintain that her unresolved death, officially ruled a by Canadian authorities but alleged by activists to involve Pakistani , intensified and efforts within Baloch communities.

Views from Pakistani Authorities

Pakistani Foreign Office spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri stated on December 24, 2020, that upon learning of Karima Baloch's death on December 21, 2020, in , Pakistan immediately contacted authorities for details and was informed that the incident was not suspicious in nature. The Foreign Office also formally requested to investigate the matter and provide an inquiry report, reflecting an official position aligning with the Toronto police's preliminary assessment of non-criminal death by drowning. Authorities in portrayed Baloch as a key figure in the Baloch Student Organization-Azad (BSO-Azad), a group advocating Baloch independence, which the government has accused of fostering anti-state sentiments and maintaining ties to separatist militants operating in . Baloch faced multiple charges under Pakistan's Anti-Terrorism Act prior to her exile in 2015, stemming from her alleged involvement in organizing protests and activities deemed supportive of insurgency against state institutions, including the . Pakistani officials, including military spokespersons, have consistently framed leaders of such and nationalist outfits as enablers of violence, linking their rhetoric to attacks by groups like the , which designates as a terrorist organization responsible for targeting security forces and infrastructure. In the context of Balochistan's ongoing , where the (ISPR) routinely attributes unrest to "terrorist elements" backed by foreign actors, Baloch's was viewed as amplifying enforced disappearances and claims to undermine efforts. No official statements from Pakistani authorities suggested involvement in her death, instead emphasizing cooperation with Canadian investigations to counter narratives of foul play promoted by Baloch separatist supporters.

References

  1. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-55434925
  2. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/22/karima-baloch-pakistani-human-rights-activist-found-dead-in-canada
  3. https://www.rferl.org/a/karima-baloch-sajid-hussain-balochistan-pakistan-exile/31028723.html
  4. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-55368524
  5. https://thediplomat.com/2020/12/suspicious-death-of-baloch-activist-in-toronto-raises-uncomfortable-questions-for-pakistan/
  6. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/25/body-of-karima-baloch-returned-to-pakistan
  7. https://indianexpress.com/article/pakistan/baloch-activist-vocal-critic-of-pak-found-dead-in-toronto-7116006/
  8. https://zrumbesh.com/english/archive-2023/post/entry/The-Goddess-of-Balochistan
  9. https://www.nonviolent-conflict.org/blog_post/amid-violence-in-pakistan-women-led-baloch-solidarity/
  10. https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4996693
  11. https://www.womeninjournalism.org/timelines-all/life-and-death-of-karima-baloch-a-historic-voice-of-balochistan
  12. https://www.efsas.org/commentaries/the-killing-of-pakistani-dissidents-abroad-is-a-dangerous-trend/
  13. http://www.humanrights.asia/news/urgent-appeals/AHRC-UAC-058-2009/
  14. https://www.rferl.org/a/balochistan-separatist-insurgency-karima-baloch-pakistan/31107566.html
  15. https://www.aninews.in/news/world/europe/baloch-woman-activist-hits-out-at-pak-for-gender-inequality201809251620150002/
  16. https://www.womeninjournalism.org/threats-all/canada-cfwij-is-devastated-by-the-sudden-death-of-baloch-human-right-activist-karima-baloch-and-demands-an-immediate-investigation
  17. https://www.firstpost.com/world/karima-baloch-human-rights-activist-and-vocal-critic-of-pakistan-found-dead-in-canada-9136051.html
  18. https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/new-podcast-investigates-death-of-activist-karima-baloch-and-the-untold-crisis-of-her-people-1.6513672
  19. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/12/23/canadian-police-rule-out-foul-play-in-pakistani-activist-death
  20. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pak-activist-karima-baloch-s-family-seeks-investigation-into-her-death-mea/story-aXtSU8sUq6lXl5I7CwCu5I.html
  21. https://bsoazad.org/articles/banuk-karima-baloch-beacon-for-the-lives/
  22. https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/the-kill-list-episode-4-transcript-1.6716990
  23. https://bolanvoice.wordpress.com/2021/01/06/exclusive-interview-with-karima-balochs-mother-jamila/
  24. https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/22/world/pakistani-activist-canada-death-intl-hnk
  25. https://www.dw.com/en/missing-pakistani-activist-karima-baloch-found-dead-in-toronto/a-56037459
  26. https://thevarsity.ca/2021/01/24/canadian-government-called-to-investigate-death-of-baloch-activist-u-of-t-student-karima-mehrab/
  27. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/karima-balochs-husband-blames-pakistans-isi-for-her-killing-asks-canadian-govt-to-reopen-case/articleshow/104025838.cms
  28. https://indianexpress.com/article/world/toronto-police-pakistani-activist-karima-balochs-death-not-suspicious-7116097/
  29. https://www.dawn.com/news/1597399
  30. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-the-silence-of-canadian-authorities-regarding-the-death-of-karima/
  31. https://lethbridgenewsnow.com/2020/12/23/family-of-pakistan-dissident-karima-mehrab-urge-thorough-investigation-into-her-death/
  32. https://www.voanews.com/a/europe_canadian-police-declare-dissident-pakistan-activists-death-non-criminal-matter/6199898.html
  33. https://www.nsnews.com/national-news/family-of-pakistan-dissident-karima-mehrab-urge-thorough-investigation-into-her-death-3211078
  34. https://www.thetimes.com/world/article/karima-baloch-dissidents-accuse-pakistan-of-murdering-exiled-activist-7fs5vhwqn
  35. https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/article/family-of-activist-karima-mehrab-urge-thorough-investigation-into-her-death/
  36. https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/karima-baloch-death-scholars-urge-canada-to-reconsider-diplomatic-relations-101611275538351.html
  37. https://newcanadianmedia.ca/karima-balochs-death-remains-a-mystery/
  38. https://inkstickmedia.com/the-young-activist-still-fueling-the-baloch-resistance-movement/
  39. https://thebalochistanpost.net/2023/12/karima-flambeau-of-political-resistance-kambar-baloch/
  40. https://thediplomat.com/2024/09/how-the-baloch-struggle-went-mainstream/
  41. https://newlinesmag.com/argument/women-suicide-bombers-and-the-changing-trajectories-of-pakistans-baloch-insurgency/
  42. https://mofa.gov.pk/transcript-of-the-press-briefing-by-spokesperson-on-thursday-24-december-2020
  43. https://www.dawn.com/news/1597853
  44. https://www.wionews.com/world/karima-baloch-case-husband-claims-pakistans-isi-killed-activist-says-canadian-govt-not-interested-641045
  45. https://pakobserver.net/balochistan-terrorist-organisations-indias-nexus/
  46. https://jamestown.org/program/pakistani-counter-insurgency-measures-risk-fueling-rebellion-in-restive-baluchistan-province/
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