First Day Proceedings

In the general body meeting, members of the WSC, international delegations and individuals were present. Delegates included the representative from Jeay Sindh Quomi Mahaz, Human Rights International (HRI), Seraiki International, IR&HRRC, Democratic Alliance of Burma and Permuda MRP Maluko. Among the individuals were, Mr. Imdad Ali Shah, MPA Sindh Assembly, Mr. Ghulam Shah, member Quomi Mahaz, Ms. Clarie Galez, Micheal Schiet, Manuel Decrits, Dr. Bhurgri and Pierre Porret. In general body discussed in depth the current situation of the Sindh in relation to the international development. Resolutions were presented and passed with the consensus of the members. Invited delegates and other participants also involved in the analysis and provided their feedback. Also the agenda for the second day was drafted. The second day will include the speeches by various international political and human rights leaders and presentation of the resolutions.

Second Day Proceedings

The day two was started with the recital of Poetry of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai. One minute silence was observed in the mourning of Sain G. M. Syed. Dr. Safdar Sarki, in his inaugral presented an overview of the past and present of Sindh. He said that Sindh has always been an independent state throughout the history. In the existing setup of Pakistan Sindhis are facing economic hardships and state atrocities. He said that sovereignty is violated when an outsider forces invades and imposes its will on the people, but what happens to sovereignty when one state within a state imposes its will! Sindhis struggle for right of self determination is an struggle against the oppression and will help restoring peace in the region.

Mr. Ghulam Shah, member governing body Jeay Sindh Quomi Mahaz, said that as the contract of which Pakistan was created is no longer valid and all conditions under which Sindh joined have been violated. Now, Sindhis must be given a chance to determine their own future. Mr. Erkin Alptekin, Chairman UNPO in his speech said that international community recognizes the right of self determination and superpowers must recognize various on-going self-determination struggles. He further said that due to the continual ignorance of the international community towards the various peaceful human rights and self-determination struggles all over the world are looking into armed resistance.

Mr. Gul Mohammed Jakhrani, member executive committee WSC, and member governing body Jeay Sindh Quomi Mahaz, We are gathered here to discuss that the how to free the nation of Sindh from the clutches of the oppression. He said that human rights are being violated in Sindh at the degree of its extreme. In the last 48 years of so called freedom, the smaller nationalities are being denied their basic rights. Pakistan has not learnt any lesson even after the independence of Bangladesh and has continued its brutal attitude towards Sindh. Even the long waited democracy has not been able to stop this and situation has worsen for the Sindhis. That is why we all are struggling for the independence of Sindh. Government is systematically been targeting Sindhi political activists, intellectuals and students.

Various international delegates and individuals sent their messages to the conference. Messages and letters from the Offices of Prime Minister of New Zealand, Prime Minister of UK, Prime Minister of Canada, Prince Charles, Foreign and Common Wealth Office, Australian High Commission, Deputy Prime Minister, UK, Eighteen MPs of UK Parliament, Foreign Secretary Labor Party, High Commissioner for Singapore, Swiss Embassy in London, His Highness Prince Agha Khan, Anita Pollack, MEP, Asia Pacific Task Force on Human Rights, The Asia Society, ODA, UNPO, The Ghandi Foundation, Office of Tibet, International Service of Human Rights, UNICEF, and various Professors and intellectuals working on South Asia were read.

In the beginning of second session, Dr. M. Halepota presented Ajraks (shawls) to Mr. Imdad Mohammed Shah, the chief guest of the conference, and Mr. Erkin Alptekin, Chairman UNPO. Dr. M. Halepota, Secretary General WSC, in his speech said that we have received reports and evidences of widespread systematic practices of rape, torture and death in custody by security forces in Sindh. He said that Pakistan government is responsible for the death of the Sain G. M. Syed, Chairman World Sindh Congress, deliberately denying the proper medical care. He also presented a detailed account of political, civil, economical and social problems of Sindh. He said that now most of the International human rights organization and UN/NGO has also been supporting our struggle. He issued a scathing critique on the MQM, alleging its workers for perpetuating terrorist activities while their leaders plea for human rights. He further said that it was a promised in Pakistan resolution of 1940 that , ... the constituents shall be autonomous and sovereign. Sindhis have historical right to determine the fate of their nation. He said that WSC demands that a refrendum must be held in Sindh under the supervision of United Nations, allowing 40 million Sindhis to decide about their future. This will prevent unnecessary loss of life, and restore peace and stability in the region.

In his presidential address by Syed Imdad Mohammed Shah, He said that there exists no real political, cultural and economical rights for Sindhis in Pakistan. It seems to me that Sindhis have more rights in London than in their own homeland, where there no freedom of association, freedom of expression. Sindh through centuries have remained as separate country, with its own, culture and philosophy. It is a cradle of secularism. Pakistan is trying to shatter our Sufi thoughts. They preach hatred and say that hate your neighbors, hate India, hate Afghanistan and keep buying arms in the name of so-called border conflicts. He strongly protested the recent federal government's illegal takeover of the Coastal Area of Sindh and depriving the millions of Sindhis from the means of the livelihood. He also mentioned about the naked aggression of state agencies on Sindhi people. He presented the examples of policies and decisions of Pakistani government to damage the economy of Sindh and create ethnic division among different population sections of Sindh even further. He admired the efforts of WSC for establishing a forum where Sindhis can speak about their struggle for rights and mention their deprivations in front of the world.

Mr. Pier Porret, Chairman Democratic Alliance of America, presented his paper on the serious violations of rights of people of Burma by the Junta. Ms. Clair Galez, Representative of IR&HRRC presented her paper on National and International Implications of Increasing Conflicts in the Region. She said that problems faced by the Pakistan are now widely exposed. Frustrations of Sindhis, Baluchis, some sections of Pakhtuns and Seraikis, if not addressed properly, are serious threat to national development and security.

Ms. Suriya Makhdoom a Sindhi Scholar presented her paper on Pakistan crimes against Sindhis and ignorance and silence of international media on this issue.

Mr. Afzal Tahir; President of Kashimiri Council in his speech on Conflict Resolution and Conflict Prevention emphasized on the need to change the political order of South Asia. He said that two-nationtheory has failed and now the states which want to be independent must be granted independence.

Prof. Riaz Punjabi, Prof. of Social Studies in Jawarhlal Nehru University in New Dehli said Pakistan is worst amongst all of the South Asian countries when it comes to violation basic human the rights of its minorities and nationalities. International community must take serious account of its continual undemocratic and unfair local and foreign policies. Resolutions were read and were approved by the participants.