London, August 1, 1999
The delegation of the World Sindhi Congress, led by Mr. Umed Ali Laghari, Acting Chairman, participated in the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities Working Group on Indigenous Populations Seventeenth Session held in Geneva, July 26th - 30th 1999.
During this visit to Geneva, Mr. Laghari met various UN officials, representatives of non-governmental organizations, and delegates of several countries participating the session. Mr. Laghari presented a summary of the human rights violations in Sindh as well as Pakistan in general. In his meeting with Ms. E. Deas, the newly elected Chair for the working group, he informed her about WSC’s struggles in its new set-up, for bringing peace and equal rights for the people of Sindh. Finally, Mr. Laghari submitted the following statement to be considered for inclusion in the final report of the working group.
World Sindhi Congress
Email world_sindhi_congress@yahoo.com
WORLD SINDHI CONGRESS
Mr. Umed Ali Laghari, Acting Chairman
Ms. Chairperson,
Our organization, the World Sindhi Congress (WSC), has taken a fresh start in April 1998 with provisionally elected members of the Executive and Administrative Boards. The results of final elections, distribution of tasks and full definition of WSC mandate for the year 1999 to 2002 will be announced later this year.
As its own name indicates, World Sindhi Congress has the purpose and ambition to represent the interests of Sindh and Sindhis. Therefore WSC has established close co-operation with local bodies in order to monitor the developments of the ground. Abroad, WSC rallies political and social workers, academics, professionals and dedicated Sindhi people who have longed for the relief of suffering imposed on the Sindhi population in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan since its creation in 1947.
The Sindhis are the original inhabitants of Sindh, which has given birth and seen the glory of the well-known Indus civilization, going back 5000 years BC In recent history, Sindhi leaders have contributed a significant role in the de-colonization of the Indian Sub-Continent and in good faith, voted in favor of the creation of Pakistan following the implementation of India's Independence Act 1935. They were soon to be deceived. Pakistan was created with the slogan of social justice and secularism. It was created with the slogan of democracy and self rule for its constituent units. Pakistan was envisioned as a land of peace and prosperity. Fifty two years later, democracy is a smoke-screen for the worst type of authoritarianism benefiting a handful of power-greedy individuals and one of the most privileged and powerful armies in the world. Fifty-two years later, Pakistan's economy is in shambles and its constantly violated Constitution is rendered redundant. Creeping poverty, unemployment, lawlessness, corruption, terrorism, rise in Islamic orthodoxy and systematic repression (not to say suppression) of liberal and progressive elements are the day to day conditions under which the common man lives in Pakistan. Pakistan survives under the shadow of implosion and yet, in May this year, it dares to intend another war with its so-called archrival. We believe, Ms. Chairperson that Pakistan's true enemies are with-in rather than with-out Pakistan.
The historical nation of Sindh, a pillar in Pakistan's creation, has now become an enslaved Province. In October 1998, the Central Government imposed Governor's rule in Sindh, once again suspending all Constitutional and legal safeguards. It was under the cover of emergency but in fact in a manipulative move to retain power for its own party that the Federal government interrupted the functioning of the elected Provincial Assembly. Since then, two governors have succeeded each other. First, a retired Lt. General and in June 1999, a businessman who articulates his prior responsibility as being the restoration of 'law and order'. In a recent development, the eccentric and unconstitutional appointment of a de facto Chief Minister makes the democratic set-up in Pakistan more bogus than ever.
Simultaneously, the Federal Authorities which had voted the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997, acted for the creation of Anti-terrorist Courts. Though the Act provides for its application throughout the country, fifteen such special courts are being set up in Sindh alone. The Karachi, Hyderabad and Sukkur Courts have already pronounced forty-five death sentences. Disturbingly invoking Article 245 of the Constitution, the army is called in for investigation of the cases. The Anti-Terrorist Courts, administered by the Federal Government put an extra financial burden on the Provincial bodies and are actually an extension of military Courts given the power to expedite civilian cases. As per the appointment of judges who are to sit in the Courts, their selection has to be screened by military intelligence. Disregarding the protest of local police and the Senate, the Anti-Terrorist Courts are said to be "satisfactorily functioning!".
On the economic front, economists and financial analysts agree with
the facts that Sindh is the largest producer of oil and now its production
of natural gas has surpassed that of Baluchistan. Sindh has the largest
coal resources with more than 95% of the country's known deposits. In agriculture,
Sindh is only second to Punjab and produces all agricultural crops more
than its share of population. Yet people's depravation in rural Sindh is
astounding. An eminent journalist writes "On an overall basis, the Province
contributes more than 70% to the Federal taxes and its contribution to
the national income is estimated to be nearly 50% compared to its suppressed
population of around 23%. Despite this distinct economic position of being
the richest of all the Provinces and the biggest contributor of revenue,
the [Sindh] government remains the poorest. And lately it has become virtually
bankrupt."
Moreover, in blatant violation of major constitutional provision, the
Advisor to the Prime Minister on Sindh Affairs (the de facto Chief Minister)
announced this year's provincial budget at a Press conference, bypassing
the Provincial Assembly. He also informed the Press that Articles 120,
122 to 125, that makes it mandatory for the budget to be passed by the
Provincial Assembly, have been suspended by a notification by the Federal
Government.
On the Human Rights front, due to time constraint, I shall limit my intervention to the labeling of the most blatant violations that are taking place against the indigenous population of Sindh. Pakistan's first political prisoner was a prominent Sindhi scholar and leading politician, G. M. Syed. His case has been well documented, including by Amnesty International. G. M. Syed died under house arrest in 1995 after been deprived of civil and political rights for over 30 years. This case, Ms. Chairperson only illustrates a systemic pattern of repression to silence the voice of millions. Hundreds of students, political and social workers belonging to the Sindhi and (former) migrant communities, are arbitrarily imprisoned, intimidated, tortured or killed. Other violations include: discrimination against religious minorities, abusive implementation of the infamous Blasphemy Law, bounded labors, erosion of the autonomy of the Press, violence and discrimination against women and violation of children rights. As a violation of the vital implementation of Right to Development and enjoyment of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, it is noteworthy that the education and health sectors are the most deprived with less that 1% of the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) of Sindh's budget being devoted to education and training.
In conclusion, Ms. Chairperson, our organization wishes to express its most serious concern at a constantly degrading situation in Sindh as well as in other parts of Pakistan. The level of violence against common man is reaching alarming heights and we earnestly appeal to this August body to hear our plea. We are therefore committed to full co-operation with all mechanisms of the United Nations that could enhance awareness and bring genuine change in our society.
Thank you Ms. Chairperson.
World Sindhi Congress
Head Office: 769 Manchester Road, Bradford, BD5 8LN UK
Tel: + 44. 1274. 742 609 E-Mail: ual@globalnet.co.uk
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