The Asian Peoples Movement on Debt and Development (APMDD) condemns the unjust arrest of one of our leaders, Saeed Baloch, by paramilitary forces in Pakistan last January 16, and demands his immediate release.

Release Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum SecGen Saeed Baloch

Statement

19 January 2016

The Asian Peoples Movement on Debt and Development (APMDD) condemns the unjust arrest of one of our leaders, Saeed Baloch, by paramilitary forces in Pakistan last January 16, and demands his immediate release.

Saeed is the Secretary General of the Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF), a long-time APMDD member organization and a powerful social movement, with more than 70,000 members across four million fisherfolk communities in the country. He is a member of Pakistan’s Human Rights Commission. He is also the elected Secretary General of the workers union of the Fishermen’s Cooperative Society (FCS) in Karachi.

A noted human rights activist, labor unionist and movement leader, Saeed was “invited” for questioning by the Pakistan Rangers last Saturday afternoon and has been detained since, allegedly for financing gang wars in the Sindh provincial capital.

Pakistani colleagues attest that Saeed answered the Rangers’ summons intending to use the opportunity to lodge a statement to help end corruption within the FCS. Instead he was detained without clear charges and evidence. Colleagues have not heard from since Saturday evening. The Pakistan Rangers have not yet produced him.

APMDD calls on the Government of Pakistan to take immediate steps for the release of Saeed Baloch. We hold it accountable for his safety and well-being.

We urge human rights groups, peoples movements, and all civil society groups to join us and our Pakistani colleagues in urgently demanding his release, the guarantee of his safety, and the respect for human rights, justice and due process.

  • Asian Peoples Movement on Debt and Development
  • Adivasi Mulvasi Astitva Raksha Manch, India
  • Aksi! for gender, social and ecological justice, Indonesia
  • All Nepal Peasants Federation, Nepal
  • All Nepal Women’s Association, Nepal
  • Asian Regional Exchange for New Alternatives (ARENA), Regional (Korea)
  • Bangladesh Jatiyo Sramik Jote, Bangladesh
  • Bangladesh Krishok Federation
  • Bulig Visayas, Philippines
  • Campaign for Climate Justice Nepal, Nepal
  • Community Development Library, Bangladesh
  • Center for Environmental Justice, Sri Lanka
  • Debt Watch, Indonesia
  • Equity and Justice Group Bangladesh (EquityBD), Bangladesh
  • Focus on the Global South, Regional (Thailand)
  • Freedom from Debt Coalition, Philippines
  • General Federation of Nepalese Trade Unions (GEFONT), Nepal
  • Gitib, Philippines
  • Himalaya Niti Abhiyan, India
  • Human Rights Alliance Nepal, Nepal
  • Indian Social Action Forum, India
  • Institute for Essential Services and Resources, Indonesia
  • Jagaran Nepal, Nepal
  • Jaringan Advokasi Tambang (JATAM/Mining Advocacy Network), Indonesia
  • Koalisi Anti Utang (Anti-Debt Coalition), Indonesia
  • Kerala Independent Fishworkers Federation, India
  • Koalisi Rakyat untuk Hak Atas Air (KRuHA/People's Coalition for the Right to Water), Indonesia
  • LDC Watch, International (Nepal)
  • Migrant Forum in Asia, Regional (Philippines)
  • mines, minerals and PEOPLE, India
  • Monitoring Sustainability of Globalisation, Malaysia
  • Nadi Gati Morcha, India
  • National Federation of Hawkers, Bangladesh
  • National Federation of Women Hawkers, India
  • National Hawkers Federation, India
  • Our Rivers Our Life, Philippines
  • Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum, Pakistan
  • Pakistan Kissan Rabita Committee, Pakistan
  • Philippine Movement for Climate Justice, Philippines
  • River Basin Friends, India
  • Rural Reconstruction Nepal, Nepal
  • Sanlakas, Philippines
  • Sawit Watch, Indonesia
  • SEAFISH for Justice, Regional (Philippines)
  • Solidaritas Perempuan, Indonesia
  • South Asian Alliance for Poverty Eradication, Regional (Nepal)
  • Sushasoner Jonny Procharavizan (SUPRO), Bangladesh
  • Task Force Detainees of the Philippines, Philippines
  • Trade Union Policy Institute, Nepal
  • Unnayan Onneshan, Bangladesh
  • Voices for Interactive Choice and Empowerment (VOICE), Bangladesh
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