Political activist, and gender equality advocate Karima Baloch, was found dead at Harbourfront, near a lakeshore in Toronto, Canada. The human rights activist had been vocal about Pakistan Army and government's atrocities in Balochistan. Baloch made headlines after escaping Pakistan in 2016 to take refuge in Canada. She was also the former chairperson of a Baloch Students Organisation called 'Azad'.
As per a report by Balochistan Post, the Canadian police found Baloch's body drowned off an island just near Toronto’s lakeshore after she went missing on Sunday. The 35-year-old activist was believed to be a pioneer women activist in Balochistan, having raised the issue of gender inequality in Pakistan at the United Nations during the 39th Session of the Human Rights Council in 2018.
“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,” Baloch said in her speech during the session.
The activist who was named as one of the world's 100 most "inspirational and influential" women in 2016 by the BBC, had added, “Apart from these basic flaws in the legal system, religious groups have launched an assault against the women’s freedom throughout Pakistan, especially in Balochistan.”
After being named on BBC's coveted list, the activist had tweeted that she was sharing the news “with countless inspirational women in Balochistan freedom struggle. Never give up."
Karima Baloch is survived by her husband, Hammal Haider, who also identified her body after it was discovered by the police. Her last tweet came on 11 December, in which she talked about Shabeer Baloch, another activist, who was allegedly abducted by the Pakistani Army on 4 October 2016, from Gowarkop in Balochistan.
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"With the death of Banuk Karima, we have lost a visionary leader and a national symbol. Compensation for this great loss is impossible for centuries," said the spokesperson of the Baloch National Movement.
Feature Image Credit: Loksatta
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