UNPO Chair UN Event on Minorities in South Asia
UNPO in collaboration with Interfaith International chaired a side-event with particular focus on the human rights situation in Gilgit Baltistan, with UNPO Members from Sindh, Balochistan and East Turkestan contributing to the discussion.
Mr. Biro Diawara of Interfaith International opened the seminar designed to coincide with the 13th Session of the Human Rights Council that would permit minority groups from across the region to raise their concerns about the human rights situation in their communities and provide suggestions for how to ameliorate the situation. Ms. Maggie Murphy of UNPO chaired the seminar, and briefly began by commending the diversity of the speakers and attendees and emphasising the need for minority groups and underrepresented peoples to share good practice with each other and learn from each others’ experiences.
Mr. Mumtaz Khan, Vice Chairman of the International Kashmir Alliance described the “crises as chaos” that has infiltrated Pakistani society over the last few years, a society in which the average individual is “unable to exercise their basic rights” and in which enforced disappearances and targeting of individuals expressing dissent is commonplace.
Mr. Abdul Hamid Khan, the Gilgit Baltistan representative to UNPO gave an overview of the legal position of Gilgit Baltistan, arguing that it is illegally occupied by Pakistan. He quoted from the General Provision of the UN resolution relating to Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan and a European Parliament resolution of 2007 that noted the “extreme poverty” and “lack of democratic structures” in the region.
Professor Baseer Naweed of the Asian Human Rights Commission described the situation of religious minorities as “critical”, especially that of Hindus and Christians residing in majority Muslim blocks. He noted the misuse of Mosque loudspeakers, and the rape and forced marriage of non Islamic women in Pakistan as a form of forced “conversion”.
Mr. Munawar Laghari of Sindh Monitor, expressed solidarity with the people of Balawaristan, and introduced to the debate the importance of control of natural resources in the region, especially that of the River Indus which is being diverted, dammed and exploited to the detriment of local communities.
Mr Lakhu Luhana, General Secretary of the World Sindhi Congress in London noted the secular, tolerant nature of the people of Balawaristan, and the “ruthless force and deceit” that causes them great suffering. He also discussed how diverting and damming the River Indus was bringing drought upon the people of Sindh. In terms of socio-economics, he commented that unemployment and malnutrition in the province is endemic. Educational opportunities for Sindh people including access to their local university in Karachi are arbitrarily denied to them.
Mr. Chen Shikong, a Falun Gong representative broadened the discussion across state boundaries to China. He argued as an exile himself that the Chinese Communist Party’s power comes from the fact that they are accountable to nobody. Mr. Dolkun Isa, General Secretary of the World Uyghur Congress later on supported these statements highlighting the devastating plight of the Uyghur population in East Turkestan, and the media crackdown put in place by the Chinese government since July 2009.
Mr. Paul Beersmans, President of the Belgium Association for Solidarity with Jammu and Kashmir, focused on the issue within the wider Kashmir debate, arguing that illiteracy and lack of education makes Kashmiri people very vulnerable to exploitation and repression. The weak economic situation and unemployment, combined with a lack of cohesion in political vision also provided stumbling blocks in improving the rights situation in the region.
Mr. Munir Mengal of Baloch Voice, called on the international community to really comprehend the situation on the ground and genuinely engage with local actors.
Professor Warikoo of Nehru University in New Delhi reflected on the internal displacement of individuals, opposed by a large influx of external migrants into the disputed territories. He judged this an attempt to weaken and dilute the Kashmiri unity.
Mr. Senge Sering from Skardu Baltistan noted that in debates on natural resources, terrorism, borders and law, “strategic interests of Pakistan always comes first”. He said it was unfortunate that China have partnered with Pakistan on construction projects that have devastated communities in order to reap big profits.
Dr. Charles Graves, General Secretary of Interfaith International concluded the event by noting that it was the first time that representatives from so many parts of the Kashmiri region, from all sides of all borders were present at such an event.
Mr. Mumtaz Khan, Vice Chairman of the International Kashmir Alliance described the “crises as chaos” that has infiltrated Pakistani society over the last few years, a society in which the average individual is “unable to exercise their basic rights” and in which enforced disappearances and targeting of individuals expressing dissent is commonplace.
Mr. Abdul Hamid Khan, the Gilgit Baltistan representative to UNPO gave an overview of the legal position of Gilgit Baltistan, arguing that it is illegally occupied by Pakistan. He quoted from the General Provision of the UN resolution relating to Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan and a European Parliament resolution of 2007 that noted the “extreme poverty” and “lack of democratic structures” in the region.
Professor Baseer Naweed of the Asian Human Rights Commission described the situation of religious minorities as “critical”, especially that of Hindus and Christians residing in majority Muslim blocks. He noted the misuse of Mosque loudspeakers, and the rape and forced marriage of non Islamic women in Pakistan as a form of forced “conversion”.
Mr. Munawar Laghari of Sindh Monitor, expressed solidarity with the people of Balawaristan, and introduced to the debate the importance of control of natural resources in the region, especially that of the River Indus which is being diverted, dammed and exploited to the detriment of local communities.
Mr Lakhu Luhana, General Secretary of the World Sindhi Congress in London noted the secular, tolerant nature of the people of Balawaristan, and the “ruthless force and deceit” that causes them great suffering. He also discussed how diverting and damming the River Indus was bringing drought upon the people of Sindh. In terms of socio-economics, he commented that unemployment and malnutrition in the province is endemic. Educational opportunities for Sindh people including access to their local university in Karachi are arbitrarily denied to them.
Mr. Chen Shikong, a Falun Gong representative broadened the discussion across state boundaries to China. He argued as an exile himself that the Chinese Communist Party’s power comes from the fact that they are accountable to nobody. Mr. Dolkun Isa, General Secretary of the World Uyghur Congress later on supported these statements highlighting the devastating plight of the Uyghur population in East Turkestan, and the media crackdown put in place by the Chinese government since July 2009.
Mr. Paul Beersmans, President of the Belgium Association for Solidarity with Jammu and Kashmir, focused on the issue within the wider Kashmir debate, arguing that illiteracy and lack of education makes Kashmiri people very vulnerable to exploitation and repression. The weak economic situation and unemployment, combined with a lack of cohesion in political vision also provided stumbling blocks in improving the rights situation in the region.
Mr. Munir Mengal of Baloch Voice, called on the international community to really comprehend the situation on the ground and genuinely engage with local actors.
Professor Warikoo of Nehru University in New Delhi reflected on the internal displacement of individuals, opposed by a large influx of external migrants into the disputed territories. He judged this an attempt to weaken and dilute the Kashmiri unity.
Mr. Senge Sering from Skardu Baltistan noted that in debates on natural resources, terrorism, borders and law, “strategic interests of Pakistan always comes first”. He said it was unfortunate that China have partnered with Pakistan on construction projects that have devastated communities in order to reap big profits.
Dr. Charles Graves, General Secretary of Interfaith International concluded the event by noting that it was the first time that representatives from so many parts of the Kashmiri region, from all sides of all borders were present at such an event.
