DOCSLIB.ORG

Press Release Contact: Ali Memon World Sindhi [email protected] for IMMEDIATE RELEASE 03 November 2015

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Press Release Contact: Ali Memon World Sindhi Congress@Yahoo.Com for IMMEDIATE RELEASE 03 November 2015 WORLD SINDHI CONGRES S 22 Newfields, Welwyn Garden City, Herts AL8 UK – USA – Canada 6YT , UK . Phone (UK) +44 (01707) 896526 Phone (USA) +1 - 818 - 917 - 6910 http://www.worldsindhicongress.org Press Release Contact: Ali Memon [email protected] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 03 November 2015 To Secure Regional and Global Peace International Community Need to Stop Spread of Extremism and Terrorism and Human Rights Violations of Sindhi People Perpetrated by Pakistan World Sindhi Congress (WSC) held its 27 th annual international conference o n 31 st October 2015 at Kingsl e y Hall , London. This year’s topic was “Roots of Terr orism and Extremism in Pakistan and the Human Rights Situation of Oppressed N ations ” . The speakers, guests and WSC members from UK, Sindh, Pakistan, India, USA, UAE, France, Spain and Sweden participated in the conference . Conference consisted of 3 sessions along with a session for the launching of book en titled “Politics of Cha nge: Bitter Realties and Hard C hoices” written by, Abdul Khalique Junejo, Chairman Je ay Sindh Maha z . Conference was opened by and Conference Chair, Farhan Kaghzi , who welcomed the guests and introduced the theme and purpose of the conference . 2 The first session of the conference was moderated by Mr. Gul Sanai and the panelists included: Ms Noor un Nisa Ghang h ro , G eneral S ecretary Sindhi Association of North America (SANA), Mir Salami Sanai Chairman Sindhi Sangat Middle East, Dr. Humera Soomro of International Sindhi Women Organisation (ISWO) and Mr Nisar Gilal of Sindhi Sangat UK and Mr. Prem Matlan i , an intellectual and writer from India. Speakers of the session were of the view that Sindh i people need to have a fresh look at their strategies to come out of the current difficult situation. The spread of extremism and terrorism is a serious problem f or the fabric of secular Sindhi society and Pakistani agencies are responsible for it. The speakers also reiterated that a close coordination amongst Sindhi diaspora is the need of the time. During the book launch session, besides author Abdul Khalique J unejo, writer and intellectual from Awami Jamhoori Party (AJP), Amanullah Shaikh and French researcher Julian Levesque spoke about the contents of the book . Mr. Junejo said “my book covers both international and national issues like Sindhi national struggl e and issues related to extremism and their impact on Sindhi society”. T he second session was moderated by Dr Hidayat Bhutto and speakers included: Hamal Hyyder Baloch, International Representative of the Baloch National Movement (BNM), Amanullah Shaik h of the Awami Jamhori Party (AJP) , Julian Levesque French researcher, Dr Safdar Sarki, Chairman Jeay Sindh Tehrik, Baldev Matlani a writer, intellectual and retired Professor of Sindhi at the University of Mumbai, India and Umar Daraz Khan a Pakistani int ellectual and writer based in the UK. Julian Levesque talked about the sufi movement in Sindh. Mr Levesque said “ Sindhis are Sufi by nature and Sufism i s a marker of identity in Sindh ”. Mr Shaikh in his paper “Political Scenario, the Trends of T errorism, and the H uman Rights Situation in Pakistan ” said “t he current situation of terrorism has jolted the entire globe and the west should come forward to help countries in reducing poverty, agony and give preference to 3 education and health. ” Hamal Hyder Baloch talked about the human rights situation of Balochistan . Mr Baloch informed the audience that the forced abductions and killing of Baloch people have intensifies and military operation has become more severe in recent months . Mr Umar Daraz elaborated that Pakistani establishment is behind the spread of religious extremism in Pakistan. Professor Baldev Matlani said that the spread of extremism is Sindh needs to be contained else it will bring a havoc for Sindhi people. Dr Safdar Sarki said that the multibil lion Pak China Economic Corridor is a project to strangle Sindhi and Baloch nations and irreversibly establish dominance of China on entire Asia. He said that all the problems of Sindhi people are systematically created by Pakistan and its agencies and the only solution is to come out of the slavery. The overall view of the session was that m ore education , political awareness and activism are necessary to challenge increasing terrorism and extremism facing Sindh and other oppressed nations in Pakistan . The speakers held Pakistan state responsible for the trials and tribulations of Sindhi people. The third session was moderated by Dr Rubina Shaikh and the speakers included: Ram Jethmalani, a former Union Minster of Law in India, Mr Bob Blackman, Member UK Parliament, Ms Kathyrn Comeron Porter , a USA Presidential Appointee and non - profit executive, Abdul Khalique Junejo, Chairman Jeay Sindh Mahaz, Dr. Ayesh Siddiqua , a researcher and analyst on extremism and terrorism and Pakistan mi litary. Mr Ram Jethmalani dwel t at length and said in Sindh has been one of the secular place on earth before Pakistan. He said that one reason for the difference in the behavior of India and Pakistan is that Indian state is secular while Pakistan state is religious. Mr Junejo said “that the inclusion of the Objective R esolution of 1949 in the constitution of Pakistan provided the basis for the religious extremism in Pakistan ”. This has been encouraged an d supported by both the military and civilian rulers of Pakistan. Dr Ayesha Siddiqa discussed the presence and role of sufi movement in Sindh saying that today the Sufis of the yesterday have become big Pirs and feudal lords . She als o said the Devbandi I slam has remained present in Sindh in the past which has now turned into extremism . Mr Bob Blackman said that we are aware and concerned about the rise of extremism and terrorism and are will raise the issues of human rights violation s of Sindhi people in the UK parliament. Ms Kathryn Cameron Porter said that 4 suffering of Sindhi people is heart wrenching and it is duty of the international community to help them. She also reiterated that for the Sindhi people’s rights movement the role and participation of women need to be increased. At the end of the session, Chairman World Sindh Congress, Dr Lakhu Luhana, concluded the proceedings of the conference. He said that forces that are responsible for spread of extremism and terrorism are a lso the forces that grossly abuse human rights of Sindhi and other oppressed nations in Pakistan. He warned that the spreading extremism and terrorism has death and destruction potential greater than the Second World War. The international powers have to l ook into the options for long term peace for the humanity instead of short term goals. The only way to effectively challenge Pakistan’s policies of spreading and supporting extremism and terrorism and destabilizing regional and global peace is to support t he struggles of Sindhis and other oppressed nations of Pakistan. At the end of the conference resolutions were presented before the House on issues of Pakistan’s role in spreading terrorism and extremism and demanding to immediately stop committing gross human rights violations of Sindhi and Baloch people, which were passed with some amendments. About The World Sindhi Congress (WSC): WSC is based in the UK, USA, Canada, and Sindh and is one of the most prominent human rights advocacy organizations for Sindh and Sindhis. The main objective of WSC is to create a better understanding within the international community about the persecuted status of Sindhis in Pakistan and about the Sindhi people’s struggle for human rights, including the right to self - dete rmination. WSC is a registered company in the UK and the USA, and is organized to carry out non - profit activities. For more information, visit www.worldsindhicong ress.org .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Sindh Perchar
    OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE WORLD SINDHI CONGRESS The Sindh Perchar S UMMER 2002 V OLUME 11, I SSUE 1 SUGGESTED DONATION: $3.0/ £ 1.0 Military Assumes Permanent Role in Governance of Pakistan Is Pakistan an Ally in War London, July 2002, General Musharaf—the self imposed President of Pakistan— Against Terrorism? recently announced a set of ‘constitutional amendments’ legitimizing his military Editorial Desk, 2002 dictatorship. These amendments guarantee a permanent and dominant role for Pakistan is considered as an important military in all future governments in Pakistan. These new changes grant President ally in the current international coali- (Gen Musharaf) the power to dissolve Parliament and dismiss the prime minister in tion against terrorism. Looking back any future elected government. A ‘National Security Council’ having powers to on Pakistan’s involvement in terrorism sack the cabinet and dissolve parliament will be formed. It will also oversee the itself, inside and outside its borders, (Continued on page 8) make Pakistan a ‘shaky ally.’ All wars are to be opposed. Though on rational basis, we see that the ter- Sindhis Protest Over Thal Canal rorism is needed to be dealt with ap- Calling it an Economic and Ecological Disaster propriate resistance. World does not need any more of Sept 11 incidents. London, March, 2002 , A big rally was cluded a delegation of MQM headed by However, that at this time, while organized in front of Pakistan High Saleem Shehzad, Balach Marri (son of preaching for peace, we must also ana- Commission,
    [Show full text]
  • Impact on Provincial Faultlines Much of the Internal Conflict in Pakistan Has
    Current events in Pakistan: Impact on provincial faultlines Much of the internal conflict in Pakistan has centered on the question of national identity – what does it mean to be a Pakistani? This was the underlying theme of the round-table discussion on Current Events in Pakistan: Impact on Sindh and Balochistan organised by Observer Research Foundation on January 29 in New Delhi. Pakistan has been in turmoil since July 11, 2007 when the security forces launched an operation in Islamabad’s Lal Masjid to clear pro-Taliban clerics and their supporters. Radicalism and extremism have since only increased, along with sharpening of provincial divisions. The assassination of Benazir Bhutto on December 27 has only added fuel to fire by reviving the cause of nationalism in Sindh and Balochistan, two provinces in Pakistan which have been struggling under discrimination and injustice by Punjabi-dominated military and political class for decades. Where is the situation in Pakistan heading to? It is critical to understand the underlying question of national identity in Pakistan before attempting an analysis of current developments. The central question which Pakistan has to find a consensus is: What does it mean to be a Pakistani? The Lahore Resolution of March 23, 1940 (Pakistan Resolution) the basis on which the "federation" of Pakistan was established called for the Muslim-majority areas to "be grouped to constitute independent states in which the constituent units shall be autonomous and sovereign". All Pakistan governments to a lesser or greater degree dishonored this original commitment to genuine federalism. There is therefore now an urgent need to review Pakistan's history in the light of the Lahore resolution of 1940.
    [Show full text]
  • Case Summary of Dr. Safdar Sarki Fall 2007
    Case Summary Of Dr. Safdar Sarki Dr Safdar Sarki – A US national, tireless human rights campaigner, devoted husband and father who is now a victim of unlawful detention and suspected torture by Pakistan's military agencies since February 2006. Fall 2007 The Constitution of Pakistan states that "No person shall be deprived of life and liberty in accordance with the law" (Article 9). Under Article 10, every detainee must be brought before a magistrate within 24 hours of arrest. The detention of Dr Sarki, if carried out by the security forces, is a clear violation of these requirements. Official Responses Senator John Cornyn’s inquiry and response from U.S. Embassy in Islamabad. Representative Ron Paul’s inquiry and response from U.S. Consulate in Karachi. Representative Susan Davis’ inquiry letter to Ms. Rice and response from State Department. Other Official Efforts Rep. Wally Herger has personally spoken with Mrs. Paras and has promised to pursue this matter. Mrs. Paras Sarki and other delegations have met State Department officials. Mrs. Paras Sarki and other delegations have met several Congress members in 2006. News about the Adjournment Motion in Sindh Assembly. Delegations to the offices of UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown, UK MP Jeremy Corbyn. Petitions to Prime Minister of Canada. Letter Campaigns to President Bush, Members of Congress. Statement of support by Ex Prime Minister Ms. Benazir Bhutto in Dr. Sarki’s Case. Meeting among Congresswoman Sheila Lee Jackson, Mrs. Paras Sarki and Ambassador Durrani of Pakistan. International Media Wall Street Journal (Daniel Pearl Foundation Fellow S.
    [Show full text]
  • Refugee Watch
    Refugee Watch "A South Asian Journal on Forced Migration" Issue NO.29 The Foreigner and The Right to Justice in The Aftermath of September 11 by Francois Crepeau Exclusion from Refugee Protection in Europe: An Attempt at Legal Conceptualization by Patrick Hoenig The Boundaries of Belonging: Reflections on Migration Policies into the Twenty-First Century by Alison Crosby Who Went Where and How are They Doing? Pakistanis and Indians Outside South Asia by Papiya Ghosh A Report by Women's League of Chinland on Hidden Crime Against China Women -Report I A Report by Uddipana Goswami on Muslim IDPs in Western Assam -Report II Bangladesh Minorities Increasingly at Risk of Displacement -Report III Book Review by Anita Sengupta Book Review by Samir Kumar Das The Foreigner and The Right to Justice in The Aftermath of September 11 by Francois Crepeau (Professor of International Law, Canada Research Chair in International Migration Law, Scientific Director, Centre for International Studies (CÉRIUM), University of Montreal) In January 2003, the Privacy Commissioner of Canada stated in his report for 2001-2002, to the Parliament, thati[i]: The Government is, quite simply, using September 11 as an excuse for new collections and uses of personal information about all of us Canadians that cannot be justified by the requirements of anti- terrorism and that, indeed, have no place in a free and democratic society… Now I am informing Parliament that there is every appearance that governmental disregard for crucially important privacy rights is moving beyond isolated instances and becoming systematic. This puts a fundamental right of every Canadian profoundly at risk.
    [Show full text]
  • Monograph No 43.Pmd
    IDSA Monograph Series No. 43 January 2015 State versus Nations in Pakistan Sindhi, Baloch and Pakhtun Responses to Nation Building Ashok Behuria State versus Nations in Pakistan | 1 IDSA Monograph Series No. 43 January 2015 State versus Nations in Pakistan Sindhi, Baloch and Pakhtun Responses to Nation Building Ashok K Behuria 2 | Ashok K Behuria Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, New Delhi. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, sorted in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photo-copying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA). ISBN: 978-93-82169-49-9 Disclaimer: The views expressed in this Monograph are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Institute or the Government of India. First Published: January 2015 Price: Rs. 240/- Published by: Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses No.1, Development Enclave, Rao Tula Ram Marg, Delhi Cantt., New Delhi - 110 010 Tel. (91-11) 2671-7983 Fax.(91-11) 2615 4191 E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.idsa.in Layout & Cover by: Vaijayanti Patankar, Geeta Printed at: M/S A. M. Offsetters A-57, Sector-10, Noida-201 301 (U.P.) Mob: 09810888667 E-mail: [email protected] State versus Nations in Pakistan | 3 Contents List of Abbreviations .................................................................. 5 Preface ..............................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • G M Syed Memorial Committee
    G M Syed Memorial Committee 8427 Tamayo Drive Phone: 713-443-1410 Houston, TX 77083 Email: [email protected] Website: http:/gmsyed.org October 14, 2009 1904-1995 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: A R KAKEPOTO Email: [email protected] Phone: +1-818-917-6910 MARCH 8th, 2008 Two Leaders Honored for their Contributions to Sindhi Freedom Movement HOUSTON, TX, Two Sindhi political leaders Dr. Safdar Sarki (45) of Texas, USA and Dr. Ghanshyam Parkash-Hotumalani (50) of New Dehli, India, were conferred with the prestigious 'G. M. Syed Memorial Awards 2007' in recognition of their contributions to Sindhi rights movement. These awards were announced during the 104th Birth Anniversary of G M Syed, held on 8th March, 2008 in Houston, TX. These awards are jointly sponsored by the World Sindhi Congress (WSC) and the G. M. Syed Memorial Committee, a Houston, TX-based educational group. G. M. Syed Memorial Awards are conferred 'to honor the memory of Mr. Syed,' a visionary leader who pioneered the Sindhi freedom movement and was a beacon of the Sindhi people's struggle for national self-determination. Previous recipients for the years 2004-2006 include renowned Sindhi luminaries namely Mr. Keerat Babani of Mumbai, India; Mr. Ibrahim Joyo of Jamshoro, Sindh, Mr Sobho Gianchandani of Larkano, Mohan Gehani of Bhopal, India, Dr. Motilal Jotwani of Delhi, India, Mr. Azad Kazi of Karachi, and Mr Khadim Hussain Soomro of Sehwan, Sindh. Dr Safdar Sarki, a tireless human rights campaigner from Sindh, who is currently languishing in torturous custody of Pakistani military agencies since Feb. 2006. Dr Sarki was born in 1963 in Jacobabad, Sindh.
    [Show full text]
  • Pakistan Page 1 of 25
    Pakistan Page 1 of 25 Pakistan Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2006 Released by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor March 6, 2007 Pakistan is a federal republic with a population of approximately 168 million. The head of state is President Pervez Musharraf, who assumed power after overthrowing the civilian government in 1999 and was elected president in 2002. He affirmed his right to serve concurrently as chief of army staff in August 2002 through a series of controversial amendments to the 1973 constitution called the Legal Framework Order. The head of government is Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, whom the National Assembly elected in 2004. Domestic and international observers found the 2002 National Assembly elections deeply flawed. The government was affected by internal conflicts in Balochistan and in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). While the civilian authorities generally maintained effective control of the security forces, there were instances when local police acted independently of government authority. The government's human rights record remained poor. Major problems included restrictions on citizens' right to change their government, extrajudicial killings, torture, and rape. The country experienced an increase in disappearances of provincial activists and political opponents, especially in provinces experiencing internal turmoil and insurgencies. Poor prison conditions, arbitrary arrest, and lengthy pretrial detention remained problems, as did a lack of judicial independence. Harassment, intimidation, and arrests of journalists increased during the year. The government limited freedoms of association, religion, and movement, and imprisoned political leaders. Corruption was widespread in the government and police forces, and the government made little attempt to combat the problem.
    [Show full text]
  • The Sindh Perchar
    OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE WORLD SINDHI CONGRESS The Sindh Perchar J ULY 2000 V OLUME 9, ISSUE 2 S UGGESTED PRICE: $1.50 / £1.0 Plea for International Mediation on Sindh Washington D.C., May 2000, In his invited speech at Statement Presented at UNCHR 56th Session the Sindh Conference in Washington, D.C., Dr. Safder Item 10 – Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Sarki, Chairperson of the World Sindhi Congress, Pakistan has been under military rules for 40 years out of its 52 years called for international mediations for peaceful resolu- of existence. This unfortunate condition derives from the country’s tion of conflicts in Pakistan. This conference was or- composition in the present form, in which one province, namely Punjab, ganized by the World Sindhi Institute (WSI) with the has an overwhelming domination in all spheres of power. Peoples of theme “Sindh, National Question in Pakistan and Peace smaller provinces, especially Sindh and Baluchistan, are being denied in South Asia.” The following are excerpts from Dr. their due economic, social, and cultural rights. The facts stated below Sarki’s speech. illustrate economic and cultural exploitations inflicted upon the people “Today, we see many regional conflicts in different of Sindh by the Government of Pakistan in recent years. parts of the world, escalating to full-fledged wars and 1) Unequal Allocation of Financial Resources organized genocide in some cases. One may think that For the last ten years, an illegal and unconstitutional body (consisting human beings have not yet learned lessons from our of selective non-representative individuals) called the National Finance history and still resort to violence.
    [Show full text]
  • G M Syed Memorial Committee
    G M Syed Memorial Committee 8427 Tamayo Drive Phone: 713-443-1410 Houston, TX 77083 Email: [email protected] Website: http:/gmsyed.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: A R KAKEPOTO 1904 -1995 Email: [email protected] Phone: +1-818-917-6910 March 11, 2008 Sindhi-Americans Gathered in Houston to Pay Tribute to Their National Leader International Day of Women was also Observed--Release of Dr Safdar Sarki Demanded. Murder of Benazir Bhuto Mourned. HOUSTON, TX, USA . Hundreds of Sindhi-Americans gathered in Houston on Saturday, March 8, 2008 to commemorate the 104th birthday of Mr. G. M. Syed, a national leader of the Sindhi people who waged a nonviolent struggle against Islamic fundamentalism and for Sindhi freedom. Sindh is home to the ancient Indus Valley civilization and is now a province in Pakistan. A vibrant Sindhi-American community numbering in the tens of thousands lives in various U.S. cities. More than 30 million Sindhis live in Sindh today. Sindhis are supportive of democracy and secularism and have been marginalized by Pakistan's military dictatorship and its Islamist ideology. Dr. Zia Shah of the G. M. Syed Memorial Committee and Dr Saghir Shaikh of World Sindhi Congress spoke on the life and legacy of Mr Syed. "Mr. Syed's message of non-violence, tolerance, and peace has a universal appeal, and the core principles of non-violence and conflict resolution are applicable to all the struggles for self- determination at individual, communal, or national levels," said Dr. Saghir Shaikh. This annual event is organized to create a global awareness about the plight of Sindh and Sindhis around the world.
    [Show full text]
  • 3. Rise of Sindhi Diaspora Organizations, Saeed
    Rise of Sindhi Diaspora in USA: A Comparative Study of SANA, WSC and WSI Saeed Ahmed Rid ∗ Abstract Scholarly research on Sindhi diaspora has mushroomed in last decade or so but most of this research is about the Hindu (Indian) Sindhi emigrants from Sindh. It covers different streams of Hindu Sindhi migrations from Sindh to all across the world in pre and post-partition phases (in post- partition phase from India to other parts of the world).However, very little research is done about the Sindhi Muslims or Pakistani Sindhi diaspora who migrated in last three to four decades from Sindh to different parts of the world. This study tries to fill that gap in literature on Pakistani Sindhi diaspora. Like Indian Sindhis, during the last three decades, Pakistani Sindhis have also become a global community and they have formed their advocacy groups or diaspora organizations across the world. However, the focus of this research will be on Pakistani Sindhi diaspora organizations in USA only. According to one estimate, around thirty to forty Sindhi diaspora organizations were working in USA by the first decade of the 21 st Century. Among those the Sindhi Association of North America (SANA), the World Sindhi Congress (WSC) and the World Sindhi Institute (WSI) were the most prominent ones. Instead ∗ Assistant Professor, National Institute of Pakistan Studies, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan. 44 Pakistan Journal of History and Culture, Vol. XXXVIII, No. 1, 2017 of picking one case study, all three are studied here to get an insight into the type of work Sindhi diaspora organizations have been doing as a whole, the political and social interests of the community they serve and the dynamics of internal politics between them.
    [Show full text]
  • Pakistan Page 1 of 42
    2008 Human Rights Report: Pakistan Page 1 of 42 2008 Human Rights Report: Pakistan BUREAU OF DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS, AND LABOR 2008 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices February 25, 2009 Pakistan is a federal republic with a population of approximately 173 million. During the year, civilian democratic rule was restored in the country. President Asif Ali Zardari, widower of assassinated Pakistan People's Party (PPP) leader Benazir Bhutto, became head of state on September 6, replacing former President Pervez Musharraf, who resigned on August 18. International observers noted that parliamentary elections on February 18, while flawed, were competitive and reflected the will of the people. The election brought to power former opposition parties, led by the PPP, in a coalition government; the national parliament elected Yousuf Gilani as prime minister and head of government on March 24. The PPP and its coalition partners at year's end controlled the executive and legislative branches of the national government and three of the four provincial assemblies. Of the 13 Supreme Court justices whom then President and Chief of Army Staff Musharraf dismissed in November 2007, by year's end the new government had reinstated five under a fresh oath of office; three retired or resigned; and five remained off the bench, including former Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry. The newly elected government did not enforce media restrictions adopted during the 2007 state of emergency. It lifted curbs on unions imposed during Musharraf's tenure, so at year's end workers in some industries could organize legally. In an effort to quell the insurgency in Balochistan, the government withdrew politically motivated charges and exit control restrictions against some Baloch leaders.
    [Show full text]
  • Fear of Torture Or Ill-Treatment: Dr Safdar Sarki
    PUBLIC AI Index: ASA 33/008/2006 10 March 2006 UA 54/06 Possible "disappearance"/fear of torture or ill-treatment PAKISTAN Dr Safdar Sarki (m), US national US national Dr Safdar Sarki, who is the head of a political party campaigning for the rights of the Sindhi ethnic group, was abducted on 24 February by men alleged to be members of the security forces. He is in grave danger of torture, which is routinely used on political activists and detainees who are held incommunicado. The authorities have denied having him in custody, and it is feared that he may have "disappeared". A group of 16 men in civilian clothes, at least one of whom was allegedly recognised as a senior police officer by eyewitnesses, reportedly took Dr Sarki from his apartment in the Gulistan-i-Jauhar area of Karachi, between 2 and 3pm. Witnesses apparently saw him being bundled into a van, "blindfolded and bleeding". There are also reports that his apartment was ransacked, and his laptop computer, passport and other items were taken. Dr Sarki is the Secretary General of a political party campaigning for the rights of Sindhi people in Pakistan, Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (JSQM). Members of JSQM and the World Sindhi Congress have filed a habeas corpus petition with the Sindh High Court. No charges are known to have been filed against him, and the authorities have not acknowledged having him in custody. The Constitution of Pakistan states that "No person shall be deprived of life and liberty save in accordance with law" (Article 9).
    [Show full text]