December 22, 2020, Toronto – 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.

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

 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.