Pakistani Officials’ Blunder: 7-Year-Old Boy Accused of Terrorism in Balochistan

August 3-Kolkata, India: In a shocking case, the Pakistani officials and authorities filed a case of terrorism against a seven-year-old boy in Balochistan, the unstable area with a hunger for an independence movement, in a stunning instance that caused worldwide indignation.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) sharply criticised the development, labelling it a “severe violation of human rights” and an obvious breach of regulations for anti-terrorism.

After this case, there are many questions revolving around the state’s treatment of children’s rights and its legal obligations within both national and international systems in light of the Turbat development.

HRCP on the Case

According to some latest information released by the HRCP, authorities charged the seven-year-old Baloch boy with terrorism after he uploaded a video on YouTube that featured the human rights activist Gulzar Dost delivering a speech.

The HRCP further added that “In Turbat, Balochistan, registering an FIR under terrorism clauses against a 7-year-old minor is highly condemnable and a severe violation of human rights. This step is not only contrary to the spirit of the law but also a blatant violation of national and international obligations regarding the protection of children.”

The human rights organisation described the sharing of a video as an act of terrorism and also an example of “unbalanced use of power.” The HRCP has demanded that authorities address this concerning situation immediately. In addition, the boy and his family sought protection from any harassment; they sought to cancel what they described as a “baseless FIR.”

HRCP also highlighted this issue and requested that the Chief Justice of Pakistan, the Pakistan Commission for Human Rights, the Government of Balochistan, and the Ministry of Human Rights take a swift decision and look into the matter before it worsens.

HRCP on previous incidents of Terrorism

This is not only the situation that caused shockwaves around the world, but a few days earlier, on Wednesday, the HRCP expressed concern about the continued prosecution of other minors in Pakistan’s Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) under anti-terrorism legislation.

The HRCP lated highlighted on the issue and stated that “It is deeply troubling and incomprehensible that, despite clear evidence of being minors, these children are being tried under anti-terrorism laws. Such judicial proceedings not only violate the Juvenile Justice System Act, 2018, of Pakistan, but also trample upon the fundamental human rights and constitutional protections afforded to children.”

The human rights organisation also requested that someone take the cases to the Juvenile Courts, which are always there to handle minor cases according to the law.