{"id":8192,"date":"2022-08-27T11:54:54","date_gmt":"2022-08-27T11:54:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hrcp-web.org\/hrcpweb\/?p=8192"},"modified":"2022-08-27T12:00:42","modified_gmt":"2022-08-27T12:00:42","slug":"state-must-address-south-punjabs-long-standing-grievances","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hrcp-web.org\/hrcpweb\/state-must-address-south-punjabs-long-standing-grievances\/","title":{"rendered":"State must address South Punjab\u2019s long-standing grievances"},"content":{"rendered":"

Press release<\/p>\n

State must address South Punjab\u2019s long-standing grievances<\/strong><\/p>\n

Multan, 27 August 2022<\/em>. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) wishes to express its solidarity with flood affectees in South Punjab. We are aware that the scale of the disaster is unprecedented. At the same time, it is clear that the role of the government and local administration in facilitating and rescuing victims has been disappointing. HRCP is gravely concerned that volunteers and NGOs that have come forward to help in disaster-hit areas are being obstructed by the administration, instead of facilitating their efforts. The current situation has exposed the neglect that the Seraiki waseb<\/em> has long suffered. HRCP has identified these areas of neglect, which are directly responsible for continued violations of the Seraiki people\u2019s political, economic and social rights.<\/p>\n

In its fact-finding report titled South Punjab: Excluded, Exploited<\/em>, launched in Multan earlier today, HRCP has underscored women\u2019s continuing vulnerability to harmful customary practices, forced conversions among local Hindu communities, the poor working conditions of industrial workers and bonded labourers, and allegations of unfair land allotment in Cholistan\u2014including to the military\u2014at the expense of local communities.<\/p>\n

Based on field visits and consultations with government officials and civil society, the report recommends that federal and provincial stakeholders initiate a political dialogue to recognise the Seraiki identity and ensure access to formal and effective policing systems to improve law and order. The state must also institute mechanisms to provide redressal to survivors of gender-based violence and discrimination, such as forced conversion and forced marriage, and protect the rights of transgender persons in South Punjab.<\/p>\n

Religious minorities must be protected from grave violations such as land grabbing and malicious use of the blasphemy laws. Workers\u2019 rights to adequate wages and social security must be ensured, with district vigilance committees made fully functional to monitor and report the incidence of bonded labour. District-level committees must also be established to redress farmers\u2019 grievances. Cholistan must be given special consideration in view of the chronic invisibility of its people, while land in the area should be allotted only to indigenous Cholistanis and without discrimination on the basis of religion.<\/p>\n

National human rights institutions such as the National Commission for Human Rights and National Commission on the Status of Women must be involved at every stage to address these rights violations. HRCP reiterates its demand for the establishment of a national commission for minorities\u2019 rights with statutory authority. The state must further upgrade the health, education and administrative infrastructure in the region, with sufficient budgetary allocations, particularly in extremely deprived areas such as Cholistan. The need for sustainable infrastructure is especially urgent in light of the devastation caused by recent floods.<\/p>\n

HRCP urges all stakeholders to work together and take swift measures to alleviate people\u2019s concerns. The neglect of vulnerable communities in South Punjab cannot be allowed to continue.<\/p>\n

Hina Jilani
\nChairperson<\/p>\n

The report can be accessed\u00a0here<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>