World Sindhi Congress Gen Secy highlights enforced disappearances in Pak at UNHRC 41st Session
Jul 06, 2019
Geneva (Switzerland), Jul 06 (ANI): Lakhu Luhana, General Secretary of World Sindhi Congress at UNHRC 41st Session in Geneva said, “Mr President, the Pakistan agencies continue using enforced disappearances of Sindhi political, civil society and human rights activists ruthlessly to silence every voice and struggle of Sindhi people for their democratic, political, economic and human rights. Additionally, the state is aggressively pursuing construction of mega projects China-Pak Economic Corridor (CPEC) and dams on river Indus without any consideration of rights of indigenous Sindhi people and the environment. Since February 2017 more than 300 cases, including dozens in 2019, have been reported including Aaqib Chandio, Shabir Kalhoro, Ayoob Kandhro, Shahid Junejo, Murtaza Junejo, Insaf Dayo, Bilal Chandio, Niaz Lashari and others. The families and friends of missing continue to suffer. Since, the last UNHRC session 5-6 missing persons have been produced at various police stations in fake cases. It is a complete mockery of the system, rather than punishing the perpetrators who enforced abducted and kept them in torture centres for years, the victims are sent to the prison under false charges. All institutions in Pakistan including the judicial system has provided no remedy and the perpetrators continue with impunity. Therefore, we request the Council to take action to protect the rights of Sindhi people, the use of enforced disappearance must end, and the perpetrators must be brought to justice, holding the Pakistani government accountable.”