UN COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS
Sub-commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities
Forty-ninth Session (4-29 August 1997)
Agenda Item 2: Question of the violations of human rights and fundamental freedom, including policies of racial discrimination and of apartheid, in all countries and territories
Statement by Dr. Munawar A. Halepota, Liberation, World Sindhi Congress and Human Rights International Alliance
Mr. President,
Allow me to congratulate you on your election and thank you for giving me the floor. The International Bill of Rights, is almost 50 years old now, but almost half the member states of the United Nations have not ratified the covenants, and hardly any member state fully implements the bill, as we are approaching the 21st century. Inspite of much awareness of the human rights and claims by various governments, individuals continue to suffer for their beliefs and convictions.
We haven’t yet forgotten the hanging of Ken Saro-Wiwa and other eight activists, by the military junta in Nigeria, with impunity and disregard to the opinion of the international community. The fate of the 19 other activists remains uncertain, and the international community feels helpless to do anything. I would like to emphasise that ‘The right to life is the most important right of all, When a person is alive he can enjoy all the rights but when a person is dead, what rights do you want to give him?' Once a life is lost we cannot get it back; it should be the top priority of human rights activists anywhere in the world. We should coordinate our efforts in order to save lives, as this is the guiding principle of our work.
We continue to monitor the situation in Palestine, and are extremely concerned by the increasing violence resulting in unnecessary loss of life. The whole region is on the verge of another catastrophe, and we urge on all the parties concerned to restrain and establish peaceful means of settling the dispute. Peace is the only option and must be given another chance.
Mr. President, there is widespread violation of civil, political, cultural, social and economic rights in Pakistan, specially in Sindh as reported by Mr. Nigel S. Rodley, Special Rapporteur, E/CN.4/1997/7/Add.2, Amnesty International Report AI INDEX: ASA 33/07/97, and Human Rights International Report HRIA/SR/04/97.
Professor Rodley’s report shows that a large number of individuals had died in custody under suspicious circumstances during 1995-96. In the province of Sindh, excluding Karachi, there had been 62 suspicious deaths of persons held in custody. They included deaths in police custody after allegations of torture, deaths after release or transfer to hospital of which torture was suspected as the cause, death in fabricated police encounters, deaths in prison as a result of torture and deaths in prison due to lack of proper medical care. Ref. E/CN.4/1997/7/Add .2
Human Rights International Report Ref: HRIA/SR/04/97, shows that more than 270 people have been killed by terrorists in Karachi, after the unconditional release of many criminals, since the installation of minority government, since February and the trend seems to be on upward spiral. Imposition of ‘Emergency Rule’ and Section 144 of Public Order Maintenance Act future undermines the fundamental freedom.
One of the worlds oldest surviving civilisation is under threat of extinction from terrorism, deliberate cultural dilution, settlement of illegal immigrants, persecution by the establishment and continuation of military operation which has resulted in the blatant violation of human rights including Rape, Torture and Death in Custody by the security forces.
The continuous settlement of outsiders has resulted in the disproportionate imbalance of the population resulting in the increasing tension between the native Sindhi people and the immigrants. The immigrants have further destroyed the native culture by bringing heroin and illegal weapons.
Peace and stability in the region, which is strategically vital for the world peace, can not be ensured unless the violations of human rights of Sindhis are stopped. It has been proposed to the Government of Pakistan to stop the military operation, release all political prisoners and restore the historic national rights of Sindhis, including the Right of Self Determination.
In view of the continuing violation of human rights in Sindh, an impartial United Nations fact-finding mission is essential and will be welcomed by the indigenous people of Sindh.
Immediate measures must be taken to ensure that Sindh & Sindhis continue to participate in the peace, progress, and stability of the region. Anything less puts one of the world’s oldest surviving civilisation at risk of extinction. We appeal to the international community for their support in our peaceful struggle against the neo-colonisation and occupation of our land and massacre of our people. Thank you again, Mr. President.