DOCSLIB.ORG

303 Politics in South Asia

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
303 Politics in South Asia DIRECTORATE OF DISTANCE EDUCATION UNIVERSITY OF JAMMU JAMMU Self Learning Material M.A POLITICAL SCIENCE Semester : III Course No. POL-303 POLITICS IN SOUTH ASIA Prof. Baljit Singh Dr. Mamta Sharma Course Co-ordinator In-Charge PG Pol. Science HOD, Political Science DDE, University of Jammu University of Jammu http:/www.distanceeducationju.in Printed and Published on behalf of the Directorate of Distance Education, University of Jammu, Jammu by the Director, DDE, University of Jammu, Jammu. POLITICAL SCIENCE Editing & Proof Reading : COURSE WRITERS : DR. MAMTA SHARMA - DR. BALJIT SINGH Professor Department of Political Science University of Jammu JAMMU – 180006 - DR. SUNEEL KUMAR Assistant Professor Deptt. of Strategic and Regional Studies University of Jammu JAMMU – 180006 - DR. GURVEL SINGH MALHI Assistant Professor P.G. Deptt. of Political Science Khalsa College AMRITSAR – 143002 © Directorate of Distance Education, University of Jammu, Jammu 2020 • All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced in any form, by mimeograph or any other means, without permission in writing from the DDE, University of Jammu. • The script writer shall be responsible for the lesson / script submitted to the DDE and any plagiarism shall be his/her entire responsibility. • Printed by : S. K Printers, Moti Bazar, Jammu / 2020 / 1000 TABLE OF CONTENTS Title Lesson Writer Page No. UNIT I APPROACHES, STRUCTURES, PROCESSES AND STATE 2-80 1.1 Approaches: Historical, Structural-Functional Baljit Singh 2 and Political Economy 1.2 Impact of Colonialism on the Politics of South Baljit Singh Asian States 17 1.3 Constitutions and Constitutionalism in South Baljit Singh Asia: Theory and Practice 34 1.4 Structures and Processes of Politics in South Baljit Singh Asia 65 UNIT II NATION-BUILDING, STATE AND POLITICAL ELITES 81-125 2.1 Nation-building in South Asia: Gurvel Singh Malhi 81 Religion, Ethnicity and Language 2.2 Democracy, Praetorianism and Authoritarianism Gurvel Singh Malhi in South Asia 92 2.3 Nature of Post-Colonial State in South Asia: Gurvel Singh Malhi India, Pakistan and Nepa. 104 2.4 Political Elites in South Asia with Special Gurvel Singh Malhi Reference to India and Bangladesh 116 UNIT III HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, SECURITY AND GOVERNANCE 126-186 3.1 Human Development Scenario in South Asia : Baljit Singh Emerging Trends 126 3.2 State Security and Human Security in Suneel Kumar South Asia 145 3.3 Globalization and Politics of Baljit Singh South Asian States 157 3.4 Governance in South Asia: Issues and Suneel Kumar Challenges 172 UNIT IV SEPARATISM, HUMAN RIGHTS, CIVIL SOCIETY AND GENDER 187-256 4.1 Separatism and Terrorism in South Asia Suneel Kumar 187 4.2 Human Rights in South Asia : Suneel Kumar 201 Trends and Challenges 4.3 Women Participation in the Politics Mamta Sharma 216 of South Asian States 4.4 Civil Society & Politics in South Asian States : Suneel Kumar Role and Emerging Trends 233 Directorate of Distance Education, University of Jammu, Semester III, Politics in South Asia 1 M.A. Political Science, Semester III, Course No. 303, Politics in South Asia UNIT – I: APPROACHES, STRUCTURES, PROCESSES AND STATE 1.1 APPROACHES: HISTORICAL, STRUCTURAL- FUNCTIONAL AND POLITICAL ECONOMY - Baljit Singh STRUCTURE 1.1.0 Objectives 1.1.1 Introduction 1.1.2 Historical Approach 1.1.3 Structural-Functional Approach 1.1.4 Political Economy Approach 1.1.5 Let us Sum Up 1.1.6 Exercise 1.1.0 OBJECTIVES After going through this lesson, you should be able to: x understand the historical background to present day South Asian politics; x know how various structures and process derived from these structures influencing politics of South Asian States; x the importance of political economy approach to understand South Asian politics, 2 Directorate of Distance Education, University of Jammu, Semester III, Politics in South Asia particularly with reference to elites, social classes and patronage networks; 1.1.1 INTRODUCTION Domestic politics of South Asian States has witnessed various trends ranging from the construction of Post-Colonial States to reinventing governance, economy and democracy apart from making transition from absolute to constitutional monarchy in the Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal and Bhutan. The former has abolished the Monarchy in 2008 whereas the latter has retained it in the modified form that is constitutional monarchy. Pakistan has been shuttling from democracy to praetorian rule, whereas, Bangladesh has succeeded to overcome the phenomenon of praetorian rule but it has been struggling to sustain functional democracy since 1990. However, all the South Asian states are having democracy at present but the texture and tenor of democracy varies from one state to another state of this region. The confrontational politics, political violence, criminalization of politics, crisis of governability, separatism, and sectarianism have become dominant trends in the politics of South Asian States. The politics of identities has replaced the politics of ideas and the public space has become more angular, volatile and polarized between the religious majority and minorities across the South Asian Societies. Further their political scenario has been projecting the paradoxical because on the one hand they are marching on the road of democracy and on the other hand their reliance on the coercive apparatus has increased manifolds as the army and paramilitary forces are managing the internal conflict in South Asia ranging from India to Maldives. In order to understand why this has been happening in the domestic politics of South Asian states, it is pertinent to look at the politics of these states from different angles. There are different methods to understand these political trends in the politics of South Asian states like Legal & Institutional, Comparative, System, Historical, Structural-Functional and Political Economy. In this lesson, an attempt has been made to apply Historical, Structural-Functional and Political economy approaches to understand the politics of South Asian States. These approaches are vital tools to develop an understanding on the domestic politics of South Asian States –as they are providing the three different perspectives to look at politics of these states. Directorate of Distance Education, University of Jammu, Semester III, Politics in South Asia 3 1.1.2 HISTORICAL APPROACH The origin of political institutions and discourses in South Asian states can be traced back to the history of this region. In order to understand the contemporary political phenomenon in the politics of South Asian States, it is required to revisit their history because the present cannot be understood without referring back to the history. Whatever has been happening in their politics, it always has a historical context as the political developments are taking place in continuity instead of vacuum. Further history provides clue about the present. Therefore, in order to understand the politics of South Asian States in the Post-Colonial period, it is pertinent to take into account their colonial past. For instance the modern state that the South Asian societies are having at present, its foundations was laid down during the colonial period. Hence the nature, working and functioning of Post-colonial state in India can be better understood by locating it in the historical context. The roots of Parliamentary democracy in South Asian Societies can be traced back to the colonial history. In order to understand the working of democracy in India, it is essential to know how and why the colonial rulers initiated the process of Parliamentary Democracy in India and Sri Lanka. The element of election and the representative bodies were introduced during the colonial period. Electoral system introduced during the colonial past has become the bed-rock of representative democracy in South Asian societies. Now the South Asian States are having the written constitutions to establish rule of law in particular and constitutionalism in general. The process of development of their constitution was set in motion during the colonial period. For instance the 2/3 part of Indian Constitution was borrowed from the Government of India Act-1935. In addition to it, this act worked as an Interim Constitution for Pakistan till it formulated and enacted its first constitution in 1956. This act was passed by the British Parliament for governance in undivided India in 1935. Sri Lanka’s political system has been shaped by its history as a British colonial possession dating back to 1801. The British attempted to develop a representative government on the Island through an 1833 Constitution that created a legislative council. Although the British formulated many constitutions like in 1910, 1920 and 1924 to appease the people but they could not provide governance by the natives. The constitution of 1931 gave more authority to native elected representatives over the internal matters. On February 4 Directorate of Distance Education, University of Jammu, Semester III, Politics in South Asia 4, 1948, the Island declared its independence from Britain but remained initially a part of British Commonwealth and subsequently Modern Commonwealth till May 16, 1972 when it was officially proclaimed an Independent Republic. Under the British rule, the Tamils from northern areas gained influence through their disproportionate access to education. 1.1.3 STRUCTURAL-FUNCTIONAL APPROACH In South Asian States, the politics revolve around various structures and functions performed by them. For instance the
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Northern Areas, Pakistan's Forgotten Colony in Jammu And
    IJGR 11,1-2_ f7-186-228 7/28/04 7:17 AM Page 187 International Journal on Minority and Group Rights 11: 187–228, 2004. 187 © Koninklijke Brill NV. Printed in the Netherlands. Of Rivers and Human Rights: The Northern Areas, Pakistan’s Forgotten Colony in Jammu and Kashmir ANITA D. RAMAN* Following armed hostilities in 1947–1949 between India and Pakistan and inter- vention by the international community, the region once known as the Princely State of Jammu & Kashmir was divided. Commencing no later than October 1947, the Kashmir dispute has proved the most protracted territorial dispute in the United Nations era. Since the termination of hostilities and the signing of the Karachi Agreement of August 1949 between India and Pakistan, approximately one third of the former Princely State has been under the de facto control of Pakistan. The Northern Areas constitute the majority of Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, and little is known regarding internal governance in the region. Despite its long- held position that the entirety of the former Princely State is disputed territory, the Federation of Pakistan has recently commenced steps to incorporate the region as the ‘fifth province’ of Pakistan. Section I of this note outlines the his- tory of the use of force in and occupation of the former Princely State, focusing on the internal administrative setup of the region following 1948. Section II looks to the concept of nationhood in order to assess whether the residents of the Northern Areas are a people within the meaning of international law on the right of self-determination and proposes a possible way forward in the assessment of the will of the peoples of the region.
    [Show full text]
  • ASA 13/09/93 Distr: UA/SC 19 July 1993
    EXTERNAL (for general distribution) AI Index: ASA 13/09/93 Distr: UA/SC 19 July 1993 Further information on UA 216/93, ASA 13/07/93 and follow-up - ASA 13/08/93, 5 July 1993 -Fear of imminent execution BANGLADESH:Munir Hussain Amnesty International is appealing to the highest authorities in Bangladesh to commute Munir Hussain's death sentence for murder which has been upheld by the High Court Division of the Supreme Court. His petition for leave to appeal has been dismissed by the highest court, and his appeal for clemency has been turned down by the President of Bangladesh. The prisoner is therefore at risk of being executed at short notice. Some newspapers in Bangladesh have quoted un-named official sources as saying that the date for his execution has been set for 26 July 1993. Amnesty International is not in a position to verify reports that the course of justice may have been influenced by undue media publicity. However, the organization is alarmed that the judgement of the Sessions Court which sentenced Munir Hussain to death has reportedly been announced through a loudspeaker for the benefit of pressure groups outside the court who campaigned for the imposition of the death penalty on Munir Hussain. Following the announcement, Roshan Ershad, the wife of the then president, General Ershad, reportedly appeared on the television to congratulate the judge. Reports also indicate that the prisoner was kept in a "death cell" for convicts during his pre-trial detention which denied him an opportunity to meet with his lawyer before the court hearings began.
    [Show full text]
  • Khalistan & Kashmir: a Tale of Two Conflicts
    123 Matthew Webb: Khalistan & Kashmir Khalistan & Kashmir: A Tale of Two Conflicts Matthew J. Webb Petroleum Institute _______________________________________________________________ While sharing many similarities in origin and tactics, separatist insurgencies in the Indian states of Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir have followed remarkably different trajectories. Whereas Punjab has largely returned to normalcy and been successfully re-integrated into India’s political and economic framework, in Kashmir diminished levels of violence mask a deep-seated antipathy to Indian rule. Through a comparison of the socio- economic and political realities that have shaped the both regions, this paper attempts to identify the primary reasons behind the very different paths that politics has taken in each state. Employing a distinction from the normative literature, the paper argues that mobilization behind a separatist agenda can be attributed to a range of factors broadly categorized as either ‘push’ or ‘pull’. Whereas Sikh separatism is best attributed to factors that mostly fall into the latter category in the form of economic self-interest, the Kashmiri independence movement is more motivated by ‘push’ factors centered on considerations of remedial justice. This difference, in addition to the ethnic distance between Kashmiri Muslims and mainstream Indian (Hindu) society, explains why the politics of separatism continues in Kashmir, but not Punjab. ________________________________________________________________ Introduction Of the many separatist insurgencies India has faced since independence, those in the states of Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir have proven the most destructive and potent threats to the country’s territorial integrity. Ostensibly separate movements, the campaigns for Khalistan and an independent Kashmir nonetheless shared numerous similarities in origin and tactics, and for a brief time were contemporaneous.
    [Show full text]
  • BANGLADESH COUNTRY REPORT April 2004 Country Information
    BANGLADESH COUNTRY REPORT April 2004 Country Information & Policy Unit IMMIGRATION & NATIONALITY DIRECTORATE HOME OFFICE, UNITED KINGDOM Bangladesh April 2004 CONTENTS 1. Scope of Document 1.1 - 1.7 2. Geography 2.1 - 2.3 3. Economy 3.1 - 3.3 4. History 4.1 - 4.45 Pre-independence: 1947 – 1971 4.1 - 4.4 1972 –1982 4.5 - 4.8 1983 – 1990 4.9 - 4.14 1991 – 1999 4.15 - 4.26 2000 – the present 4.27 - 4.45 5. State Structures 5.1 - 5.51 The constitution 5.1 - 5.3 - Citizenship and Nationality 5.4 - 5.6 Political System 5.7 - 5.13 Judiciary 5.14 - 5.21 Legal Rights /Detention 5.22 - 5.30 - Death Penalty 5.31 – 5.32 Internal Security 5.33 - 5.34 Prisons and Prison Conditions 5.35 – 5.37 Military Service 5.38 Medical Services 5.39 - 5.45 Educational System 5.46 – 5.51 6. Human Rights 6.1- 6.107 6.A Human Rights Issues 6.1 - 6.53 Overview 6.1 - 6.5 Torture 6.6 - 6.7 Politically-motivated Detentions 6.8 - 6.9 Police and Army Accountability 6.10 - 6.13 Freedom of Speech and the Media 6.14 – 6.23 Freedom of Religion 6.24 - 6.29 Hindus 6.30 – 6.35 Ahmadis 6.36 – 6.39 Christians 6.40 Freedom of Assembly and Association 6.41 Employment Rights 6.42 - 6.47 People Trafficking 6.48 - 6.50 Freedom of Movement 6.51 - 6.52 Authentication of Documents 6.53 6.B Human Rights – Specific Groups 6.54 – 6.85 Ethnic Groups Biharis 6.54 - 6.60 The Tribals of the Chittagong Hill Tracts 6.61 - 6.64 Rohingyas 6.65 – 6.66 Women 6.67 - 6.71 Rape 6.72 - 6.73 Acid Attacks 6.74 Children 6.75 - 6.80 - Child Care Arrangements 6.81 – 6.84 Homosexuals 6.85 Bangladesh April 2004 6.C Human Rights – Other Issues 6.86 – 6.89 Prosecution of 1975 Coup Leaders 6.86 - 6.89 Annex A: Chronology of Events Annex B: Political Organisations Annex C: Prominent People Annex D: References to Source Material Bangladesh April 2004 1.
    [Show full text]
  • 'Spaces of Exception: Statelessness and the Experience of Prejudice'
    London School of Economics and Political Science HISTORIES OF DISPLACEMENT AND THE CREATION OF POLITICAL SPACE: ‘STATELESSNESS’ AND CITIZENSHIP IN BANGLADESH Victoria Redclift Submitted to the Department of Sociology, LSE, for the degree of PhD, London, July 2011. Victoria Redclift 21/03/2012 For Pappu 2 Victoria Redclift 21/03/2012 Declaration I confirm that the following thesis, presented for examination for the degree of PhD at the London School of Economics and Political Science, is entirely my own work, other than where I have clearly indicated that it is the work of others. The copyright of this thesis rests with the author. Quotation from it is permitted, provided that full acknowledgement is made. This thesis may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of the author. I warrant that this authorization does not, to the best of my belief, infringe the rights of any third party. ____________________ ____________________ Victoria Redclift Date 3 Victoria Redclift 21/03/2012 Abstract In May 2008, at the High Court of Bangladesh, a ‘community’ that has been ‘stateless’ for over thirty five years were finally granted citizenship. Empirical research with this ‘community’ as it negotiates the lines drawn between legal status and statelessness captures an important historical moment. It represents a critical evaluation of the way ‘political space’ is contested at the local level and what this reveals about the nature and boundaries of citizenship. The thesis argues that in certain transition states the construction and contestation of citizenship is more complicated than often discussed. The ‘crafting’ of citizenship since the colonial period has left an indelible mark, and in the specificity of Bangladesh’s historical imagination, access to, and understandings of, citizenship are socially and spatially produced.
    [Show full text]
  • Preparedness for Implementation of Sustainable Development Goals
    Preparedness for Implementation of Sustainable Development Goals Report No.PER/2017/2018/SDG/05 National Audit Office Performance Audit Division 1 | P a g e National preparedness for SDG implementation The summary of main observations on National Preparedness for the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is as follows. 1. The Rapid Integrated Assesment (RIA) is a first step in the process of aligning the country,s national development plan or public Investment programme with SDGs and RIA reveals an uneven alignment between the policy initiatives in the 2017 -2020 Public Investment Programme and the SDG target areas for the economy as (84%) people (80%) planet (58%) peace (42%) and partnership (38%). 2. After deducting debt repayments, the Government has allocated Rs. 440,787 million or 18 percent out of the total national budget of Rs. 2,997,845 million on major projects which identified major targets of relevant SDGs in the year 2018. 3. Sri Lanka had not developed a proper communication strategy on monitoring, follow up, review and reporting on progress towards the implementation of the 2030 agenda. 2 | P a g e Audit at a glance The information gathered from the selected participatory Government institutions have been quantified as follows. Accordingly, Sri Lanka has to pay more attention on almost all of the areas mentioned in the graph for successful implementation of Sustainable Development Goals. 40.0% Alignment of budgets, policies 34.5% and programmes 35.0% Policy integration and coordination 30.0% 28.5% 28.3% 27.0% 26.6% Creating ownership and engaging stakeholders 25.0% 24.0% Identification of resources and 20.5% 21.0% capacities 20.0% Mobilizing partnerships 15.0% Managing risks 10.0% Responsibilities, mechanism and process of monitoring, follow-up 5.0% etc (institutional level) Performance indicators and data 0.0% 3 | P a g e Contents Executive Summary ................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Warrant of Precedence in Bangladesh
    Warrant Of Precedence In Bangladesh Spadelike Eustace deprecated or customise some rustications erotically, however unapproachable Reza resume timeously or gads. Typic Rustie sometimes salify his femineity pectinately and corbels so disjointedly! Scaphocephalous Hilbert inures very creditably while Northrup remains bottom and sharp-nosed. If necessary in bangladesh war of. For all over another leading cause it has sufficient knowledge and in warrant an officer ranks for someone who often tortured. Trial Judge got this Rule. Navy regulations stipulated the commissioned offices of captain and lieutenant. The warrant of rank. Forces to bangladesh of precedence in warrant or places of. Secondary education begins at the wave of eleven and lasts for seven years. Trial chamber may make it pronounces a decision has nonetheless rarely disciplined, including that period decided that while judges. Martial law and bangladesh judicial service vehicles for use of drilling and determine whether a warrant or warrants. The warrant of islam will hold harmless ctl phones are also be interviewed by bangladesh nationalist party. Chief Controller of Imports and Exports. To world heritage command obedience to of precedence is the state. But if such case. Madaripur by then chief justice and hands power secretary to detain a human resources to help provide maps suitable taxation policy. Rulings of precedence is unsatisfactory, warrants and where appropriate. To display two offices. The divorce over, policies and benefits, CTL. The upgrade essentially allows officers who make not promoted to draw the crank of higher ranks or pay grades, including clustering and limited access to which community wells, English and French. Managing Director, it was expected that Sam Manekshaw would be promoted to the rank behind a Field Marshal in recognition of his role in leading the Armed Forces to a glorious victory in may war against Pakistan.
    [Show full text]
  • A Case Study of Gilgit-Baltistan
    The Role of Geography in Human Security: A Case Study of Gilgit-Baltistan PhD Thesis Submitted by Ehsan Mehmood Khan, PhD Scholar Regn. No. NDU-PCS/PhD-13/F-017 Supervisor Dr Muhammad Khan Department of Peace and Conflict Studies (PCS) Faculties of Contemporary Studies (FCS) National Defence University (NDU) Islamabad 2017 ii The Role of Geography in Human Security: A Case Study of Gilgit-Baltistan PhD Thesis Submitted by Ehsan Mehmood Khan, PhD Scholar Regn. No. NDU-PCS/PhD-13/F-017 Supervisor Dr Muhammad Khan This Dissertation is submitted to National Defence University, Islamabad in fulfilment for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Peace and Conflict Studies Department of Peace and Conflict Studies (PCS) Faculties of Contemporary Studies (FCS) National Defence University (NDU) Islamabad 2017 iii Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirement for Doctor of Philosophy in Peace and Conflict Studies (PCS) Peace and Conflict Studies (PCS) Department NATIONAL DEFENCE UNIVERSITY Islamabad- Pakistan 2017 iv CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION It is certified that the dissertation titled “The Role of Geography in Human Security: A Case Study of Gilgit-Baltistan” written by Ehsan Mehmood Khan is based on original research and may be accepted towards the fulfilment of PhD Degree in Peace and Conflict Studies (PCS). ____________________ (Supervisor) ____________________ (External Examiner) Countersigned By ______________________ ____________________ (Controller of Examinations) (Head of the Department) v AUTHOR’S DECLARATION I hereby declare that this thesis titled “The Role of Geography in Human Security: A Case Study of Gilgit-Baltistan” is based on my own research work. Sources of information have been acknowledged and a reference list has been appended.
    [Show full text]
  • Mapping the 'Khalistan' Movement, 1930-1947: an Overview
    Journal of the Research Society of Pakistan Volume No. 55, Issue No. 1(January - June, 2018) Samina Iqbal * Rukhsana Yasmeen** Kalsoom Hanif *** Ghulam Shabir **** Mapping the ‘Khalistan’ Movement, 1930-1947: An overview Abstract This study attempts to understand the struggle of the Sikhs of the Punjab, during the colonial period (1930-1947), for their separate home-land- Khalistan, which to date have been an unfinished agenda. They still feel they have missed the train by joining hands with the Congress Party. There is strong feeling sometime it comes out in shape of upsurge of freedom of moments in the East Punjab. Therefore it is important to understand what was common understanding of the Sikh about the freedom struggle and how they reacted to national movements and why they filed to achieve a separate homeland-Khalistan. The problem is that the Sikh demands have so been ignored by the British government of India and His Majesty’s Government in England. These demands were also were not given proper attention by the Government of Punjab, Muslim leadership and Congress. Although the Sikhs had a voice in the politics and economic spheres their numerical distribution in the Punjab meant that they were concerted in any particular areas. Therefore they remained a minority and could only achieve a small voting strength under separate electorates. The other significant factor working against the Sikh community was that the leadership representing was factionalized and disunited, thus leading to a lack of united representation during the freedom struggle and thus their demand for the creation of a Sikh state could not become a force to reckon.
    [Show full text]
  • Discord in Pakistan's Northern Areas
    DISCORD IN PAKISTAN’S NORTHERN AREAS Asia Report N°131 – 2 April 2007 TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ..................................................................................................... i I. INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................... 1 II. THE HISTORY............................................................................................................... 2 A. THE KASHMIR CONNECTION..................................................................................................2 B. ACCEDING TO PAKISTAN .......................................................................................................3 III. SIX DECADES OF CONSTITUTIONAL NEGLECT ................................................... 5 A. RETAINING THE KASHMIR CONNECTION ................................................................................5 1. Justification ................................................................................................................5 2. Enforcement ...............................................................................................................6 B. THE NORTHERN AREAS AND AJK: DIVERGENT PATHS...........................................................7 1. Constitutional and administrative development .............................................................7 2. Azad Jammu and Kashmir..........................................................................................8 3. The Northern Areas....................................................................................................8
    [Show full text]
  • UNPO UPR Submission 13Th Philippines
    Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) Individual Stakeholder Submission to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights regarding the Universal Periodic Review of the Republic of Pakistan during the 14th Session, 22 October- 5 November 2012 Background of Ethnic Minorities of Pakistan 1. Sindh: The Sindhi people are mostly located in Sindh in southeastern Pakistan. This province has historically been recognized as a separate political territory, and it practiced territorial autonomy under British colonial rule. During the Pakistan-Indian separation, the Sindhi agreed to join Pakistan in exchange for the promise of autonomy. Since that time, Sindh has seen a loss of provincial autonomy, endangering the distinct culture and language of the Sindh. 2. Gilgit-Baltistan: Gilgit-Baltistan is an area located in the north of Pakistan disputed by India and Pakistan. Because of its isolated position between the Karakoram Mountains, the area has developed and preserved its unique history, cultural values, and traditional political identity. The area where an estimated 1.8 million people reside is governed directly by Islamabad, despite a landmark verdict in 1999 which ordered Pakistan to extend fundamental freedoms to the Northern Areas. 3. Balochistan: The region of Balochistan stretches out over parts of Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. After the British occupation of the region, and the subsequent independence of Pakistan, the land of the Baloch was partitioned. According to official estimates, 7, 9 million people are currently living in the Pakistani part of the Balochistan. Many Baloch live in a climate of fear characterized by rising rates of enforced disappearances , extrajudicial killings, and arbitrary detention.
    [Show full text]
  • Flags of Asia
    Flags of Asia Item Type Book Authors McGiverin, Rolland Publisher Indiana State University Download date 27/09/2021 04:44:49 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10484/12198 FLAGS OF ASIA A Bibliography MAY 2, 2017 ROLLAND MCGIVERIN Indiana State University 1 Territory ............................................................... 10 Contents Ethnic ................................................................... 11 Afghanistan ............................................................ 1 Brunei .................................................................. 11 Country .................................................................. 1 Country ................................................................ 11 Ethnic ..................................................................... 2 Cambodia ............................................................. 12 Political .................................................................. 3 Country ................................................................ 12 Armenia .................................................................. 3 Ethnic ................................................................... 13 Country .................................................................. 3 Government ......................................................... 13 Ethnic ..................................................................... 5 China .................................................................... 13 Region ..................................................................
    [Show full text]