Canada: CFWIJ Is Devastated By The Sudden Death Of Baloch Human Right Activist Karima Baloch And Demands An Immediate Investigation
Location: Canada, Toronto
Date: December 22, 2020
Human rights defender Karima Baloch was found dead in Toronto, Canada after she went missing last Sunday. The Coalition For Women In Journalism is devastated by Karima’s death and demands Canadian authorities to conduct an immediate investigation into the activist’s tragic demise.
According to The Balochistan Post, human right activist and former chairperson of Baloch Students Organisation – Azad, was reportedly found dead in Toronto, Canada. She was last seen on Sunday, December 20, 2020, around 3:00 pm in the Queens Quay West area. The police had previously asked for the public’s assistance to help locate Karima Baloch. However, her family has now confirmed the activist's body was found and requested privacy in their time of mourning.
MISSING:
— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) December 21, 2020
Karima Mehrab, 37
- last seen on Dec 20, in the Bay St + Queens Quay W area
- 5'3", 115 lbs., black long hair, brown eyes
- wearing black jeans, grey hooded Roots sweatshirt, black Canada Goose winter jacket, black Doc Martin boots#GO2394980
^ep2 pic.twitter.com/i78dK2TLbR
Karima Baloch, an exile from Balochistan, was named by the BBC as one of the world’s 100 most “inspirational and influential” women in 2016. She was a prominent activist and a fighter for women’s rights in Pakistan.
Karima, who took refuge in Canada, bravely criticized the persecution of the Balochistan people in Pakistan. She raised awareness of gender inequality in Pakistan at the United Nations’ 39th Human Rights Council Meeting in 2018.
In her speech, she said, “If a woman is killed by her brother in the name of honour, the Islamic law allows him to settle the case with the father or the rest of the family. In most of the cases, the family forgives the murderer who goes scot-free. Also, as a testimony of two women is equal to one man, rape cases are less likely to be decided in favour of the victims”
Karima, after being acknowledged by the BBC, took to her Twitter account to recognize the other women sharing her plight, “I share this with countless inspirational women in #Balochistan freedom struggle. Never give up.”
My gratitude to BBC. I share this with countless inspirational women in #Balochistan freedom struggle. Never give up. https://t.co/gj77GvYrHV
— Karima Baloch (@KarimaBaloch) November 21, 2016
Karima’s tremendous courage shed light on gender inequality and inspired women throughout Pakistan. She was elected as the first female president of the Balochistan Students Organization in 2014. She raised awareness and fought for gender-equality rights.
Her sudden and unexpected death has shocked many while also raising great concern.
Tarek Fatah, a columnist for the Toronto Sun, said, “Today Karima was drowned in Toronto by Balochistan’s enemies to silence her, not knowing Karima’s speeches will live forever.”
In 2016, #KarimaBaloch escaped the tyranny of the Pakistan Army and came to Canada as a refugee.
— Tarek Fatah (@TarekFatah) December 22, 2020
Today #Karima was drowned in Toronto by #Balochistan’s enemies to silence her, not knowing Karima’s speeches will live forever.
https://t.co/pQ78umuO5f @ZaffarBaloch @PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/WGRS9lADhO
Spokesman of The Baloch Republican Party (BRP), Sher Mohammad Bugti, demanded Canadian officials to investigate the mysterious death of Karima, “The sudden demise of Karima Baloch is certainly no less than a shock. The Government of Canada must investigate the incident and inform the family and the Baloch nation of all the facts.”
The sudden demise of #KarimaBaloch is certainly no less than a shock. It is the duty of the Government of #Canada to investigate the incident and to inform the family and the Baloch nation of all the facts. https://t.co/PAQpWWKvrD
— Sher Mohammad Bugti (@SherM_BRP) December 21, 2020
Journalist Gul Bukhari expressed her condolences to Karima’s family and underlined the fear of safety in countries like Sweden and Canada.
“Baloch are being hounded from Sweden to Canada. Their host countries need to do better.”
Baloch are being hounded from Sweden to Canada. Their host countries need to do better. #KarimaBaloch https://t.co/FFuzSIA7fH
— Gul Bukhari (@GulBukhari) December 21, 2020
In March, another Baloch activist and journalist, Sajid Hussain, went missing in Sweden. His body was later found in a river. His family, friends and acquaintances claimed that he was murdered.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is shocked by the sudden and mysterious death of Karima and we demand authorities to investigate the matter immediately. This is a troubling incident that could very well be the planned murder of Karima. A country like Canada, which opens doors to refugees and human rights defenders like Karima, cannot ignore this devastating event and must find the people responsible.
The CFWIJ strongly condemns the police brutality against journalists. We demand the immediate return of the press cards seized from the security forces. Policies to intimidate journalists should be abandoned, and journalism should be practiced under the criteria of freedom of the press.
If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.
