Sunday, November 10th, 2024

London: Sindhis protest against Indus Canals, human rights violations in Pakistan


In a powerful show of solidarity, the World Sindhi Congress (WSC) gathered outside the residence of the UK Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street to protest against the serious human rights violations and environmental threats faced by the Sindhi community in Pakistan.

The protest was attended by Sindhi and human rights advocates from Balochistan and other marginalized communities from across the UK, and highlighted urgent issues affecting their homeland.

According to a press release from WSC, the protesters expressed strong opposition to Pakistan’s controversial plan to build six canals on the Indus River. he/she warned that the project poses a threat to the survival of millions of Sindhis already suffering from severe water shortages, a situation worsened by the controversial 1991 water agreement.

The protesters claimed, “Diverting the river water towards the Cholistan region will devastate Sindh’s agricultural sector and worsen the environmental condition in the Indus Delta.”

Protesters rally outside 10 Downing Street 02

The rally also highlighted the ongoing extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances of Sindhi political activists at the hands of Pakistan’s security forces. In October 2024 alone, three young Sindhi men—Sajan Malukani, Sarmad Bhayo and Vanish Kumar—were allegedly killed in extrajudicial actions, while six others were abducted.

The focal point of the outrage was the brutal murder of Shahnawaz Kumbhar, who was killed under fabricated blasphemy charges. Protesters accused Pir Omar Jan Sirhindi of involvement in the killing and called it an example of state-sponsored violent extremism. One speaker said, “This is a gross violation of human rights that cannot be challenged.”

Protesters rally outside 10 Downing Street 03

The gathering also condemned the violent reaction to the Sindh Rawadari (Tolerance) march, which aimed to promote secular and tolerant values, in the wake of Kumbhar’s murder. During the event participants, including women and intellectuals, faced violence, arrests and humiliation from state forces.

Additionally, WSC protesters demanded the immediate release of 7-year-old Priya Kumari, who was abducted more than three years ago.

At the conclusion of the protests, a petition was handed over to the British Prime Minister, urging his/her intervention to stop human rights atrocities in Sindh. The petition demanded a fact-finding mission to Pakistan to investigate the worsening situation especially regarding rights violations against the Sindhi and Baloch communities.

Protesters rally outside 10 Downing Street 04

Protesters also urged the UK government to pressure Pakistan to end these abuses, repeal the controversial Blasphemy Act and freeze aid to Pakistan until it complied with the UN Charter of Human Rights.

World Sindhi Congress (WSC), a leading human rights advocacy organization with branches in the UK, US, Canada and Sindh, is dedicated to raising international awareness about the oppression of Sindhis in Pakistan and their ongoing struggle for human rights and self-determination. determination.



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