Munawar Sufi Laghari Highlights Sindhi Discrimination at UNHRC
During the 57th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Munawar Sufi Laghari, Executive Director of the Sindhi Foundation, spoke about the racial discrimination faced by Sindhis in Pakistan. He urged the UN to appoint a special envoy to investigate these issues, which he believes could save millions from discrimination.
Laghari explained that discrimination against Sindhis dates back to Pakistan’s early days, often state-sponsored and akin to genocide. He noted that Sindhis, who make up 14% of Pakistan’s population, are underrepresented in state organizations, including the army and judiciary.
Despite Sindh’s wealth from agriculture, many Sindhis live in poverty. Laghari stressed that cultural heritage is under threat, with challenges in promoting the Sindhi language and cultural celebrations.
Doubts Revealed
Munawar Sufi Laghari -: Munawar Sufi Laghari is a person who works to help the Sindhi people. He is the Executive Director of the Sindhi Foundation, which means he leads an organization that supports Sindhis.
Sindhi -: Sindhis are a group of people from the Sindh region in Pakistan. They have their own language and culture.
UNHRC -: UNHRC stands for the United Nations Human Rights Council. It is a group that works to protect and promote human rights around the world.
Special envoy -: A special envoy is a person sent on a special mission, usually by a government or international organization, to deal with a specific issue.
Racial discrimination -: Racial discrimination means treating people unfairly because of their race or ethnicity. It is when people are not given equal opportunities because of their background.
State-sponsored discrimination -: State-sponsored discrimination is when a government supports or allows unfair treatment of certain groups of people. This can happen through laws or actions that favor one group over another.
Underrepresentation -: Underrepresentation means that a group of people is not present in a fair or equal number in certain areas, like jobs or government positions, compared to their population size.
Cultural heritage -: Cultural heritage refers to the traditions, languages, and artifacts that are passed down from one generation to another. It is an important part of a community’s identity.