US Embassy report highlights Human Rights violations in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The US Department of State’s 2024 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices has painted a grim picture of Pakistan’s human rights record, documenting widespread abuses including extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, suppression of press freedom, and persecution of minorities. The report highlights a persistent lack of accountability for security forces and government officials implicated in these violations.

According to the findings, security forces in Balochistan have been accused of “kill and dump” operations targeting dissidents and ethnic minorities. At least three protesters were killed during a Baloch rights demonstration in Gwadar between July and August 2024. Disturbingly, 10,285 cases of enforced disappearances have been reported since 2011, with 2,270 still unresolved—though activists argue the actual number is far higher.

Journalists in Pakistan continue to face severe risks, including abductions, torture, and threats, particularly when reporting on the military or human rights abuses. May 2024 marked the deadliest month for media workers in the country’s history, with four journalists killed. Authorities have also been accused of using the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to silence criticism of the government and judiciary.

Labor rights violations remain rampant, with unions facing harassment and employers employing “yellow union” tactics to undermine organizing efforts. Poor enforcement of labor laws has led to widespread wage violations and unsafe working conditions, especially in the informal sector.

Religious minorities, particularly Hindus and Christians, continue to suffer under Pakistan’s harsh blasphemy laws, which have been linked to mob violence and killings. Forced conversions of young girls from these communities remain a pressing issue, despite occasional judicial intervention.

The report also accuses Pakistan of transnational repression, including surveillance and harassment of Baloch activists abroad. In January 2024, Pakistani airstrikes in Iran killed nine Baloch individuals, raising allegations of extraterritorial violence.

Despite announcing financial aid for families of missing persons, the Pakistani government has done little to hold perpetrators accountable, fostering a culture of impunity. International human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have repeatedly called for reforms, and the US report could influence future diplomatic and aid decisions.

The findings underscore systemic human rights failures in Pakistan, with growing international scrutiny over the government’s treatment of dissenters, journalists, and minorities.