The National Fisheries Solidarity Movement[NAFSO] condemns the arrest of Saeed Baloch, General Secretary of the Pakistan Fisher folk Forum[PFF] by paramilitary forces in Karachi and calls for his immediate release.
Saeed Baloch is a world known activist and campaigner for fisher people's rights in Pakistan and has been wrongfully accused of involvement with gangs in Lyari. Even though there has been no evidence produced against him in any court, he can now be detained for up to three months without charge under the wide powers granted to the Rangers in Sindh under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
The NAFSO sees the arrest of Saeed Baloch as another instance of political activists and workers being targeted under the guise of acting against "terrorism". Mr. Baloch has been an ardent advocate for climate justice, water conservation and environmental protection and an outspoken opponent of coal and nuclear energy. In particular, he has also spoken out recently against the construction of two nuclear power plants on the outskirts of Karachi, a development that scientists say could pose grave and potentially-catastrophic risks to the citizens and environment of the city.
During the recent elections held in the Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Global Network[ESCR-Net], Saeed was re-elected as a board member representing South Asian constituency for the coming 3 years again.
We, NAFSO condemn this type of heinous actions against social activists by any authority and urge to release him with immediate effect.
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