Categories: World

Activists raise issue of minority rights in Pakistan during protest outside UN

<p>
<strong>Political activists and human rights defenders participated in a protest in front of the United Nations office in Geneva on Wednesday to raise the issue of persecution of minorities in Pakistan.</strong></p>
<p>
The protest organized by the World Sindhi Congress during the 49th Session of the UN Human Rights Council was joined by Baloch, Pashtuns, and Kashmiri political activists.</p>
<p>
They called Pakistan a 'terrorist state' where minorities are facing persecution and are on the verge of extinction.</p>
<p>
Lakhu Luhana, Secretary-General of World Sindhi Congress said, "We are protesting against the grave atrocities that the State of Pakistan is carrying out against the Sindhi people. They are taking our lands, hundreds and thousands of acres by military and its proxies. If there is a protest against land grabbing, they charge and arrest hundreds of people and put terrorism charges."</p>
<p>
"Likewise, hundreds of Sindhi people have been missing for years. They are creating hell for the minorities, as lately there was a fake allegation against professor and scientist Notan Lal, who has been facing rigorous imprisonment. Another peaceful Sindhi Hindu was murdered and even a 9-year-old girl has been forcibly abducted. In the last 3 months alone, almost 15 girls have been abducted and literally, they want Sindhi people to die and to disappear", said Luhana, who was leading the protest at Broken Chair in front of the UN.</p>
<p>
He added, "It is our request to the international community to save our people. They are killing us and we need the help of the international community."</p>
<p>
Sital Sardhanand of Netherland-based Global Human Rights Defense said, "For 20 years, we have been monitoring the human rights situation, especially when we talk about minorities. Unfortunately, we have been following the situation in Pakistan and it's really sad to see that the silent genocide is continuing in Pakistan. Even international organizations ignored the fact of the disappearance of minorities, systematic exclusion of minorities. Political – in any layer you will see that minorities are ignored".</p>
<p>
"The percentage of minorities like Sindhi, Baloch is dramatically going down. We discussed that by 2025 Pakistan will be totally minority free. And that is very concerning and the UN must take action – now or never", said Sardhanand.</p>
<p>
Attacks on religious minorities in Pakistan have claimed hundreds of lives of Hindus, Pakistani Ahmadis, Shia, Sufis, and Christians.</p>
<p>
Women belonging to minority communities have been targeted for forced conversions and marriages.</p>
<p>
<strong>Also Read: <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/world-news/gulf-heavyweights-kept-busy-as-world-worries-about-oil-supply-over-ukraine-conflict-157679.html">Gulf heavyweights kept busy as world worries about oil supply over Ukraine conflict</a> </strong></p>

ANI

Ani service

Recent Posts

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visits UAE, thanks leadership for extending support following Pahalgam Terror attack

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri paid a visit to Abu Dhabi, UAE on June 10. His…

11 hours ago

23 injured Indians transferred to Nairobi, post-mortem of 5 Indians completed: Indian Embassy in Qatar

The Indian Embassy in Qatar provided updates on the unfortunate accident which took place in…

13 hours ago

EAM Jaishankar meets European Parliament President Roberta Metsola; discusses trade, strategic partnerships

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar met the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola,…

14 hours ago

India stresses free Indo-Pacific, joint action on terror at EAS meet in Malaysia

Secretary (East) P. Kumaran led the Indian delegation at the East Asia Summit (EAS) Senior…

17 hours ago

“Terrorism will eventually come back to haunt you,” says Jaishankar, urges global community to look beyond India-Pakistan lens on Kashmir attack

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, during his visit to Brussels this week, met European…

18 hours ago

Taiwanese NGOs hold 2030 wargame exercise simulating Chinese naval incursion

Three Taiwanese non-governmental organisations participated in a tabletop exercise on Tuesday that simulated dramatic escalations…

19 hours ago