KARACHI: Sindh Human Rights Commission (SHRC) chairperson retired Justice Majida Rizvi said on Wednesday that despite efforts made by the provincial government no significant improvement in education and health sectors could be achieved in Thar.

She was sharing some key insights and findings about her recent visit to Tharparkar at a briefing held at the Sindh Secretariat here.

Justice Rizvi visited Thar on Nov 26 and 27 to inquire into human rights violation complaints.

On the trip, she was accompanied by Pushpa Kumari, a member of the commission, and Krishan Sharma, a social activist and member of a SHRC’s subcommittee along with staff member Adnan Khaskheli. They visited Nagarparkar, Islamkot, Mithi and adjacent areas.

Retired Justice Rizvi says the issue of child mortality in the desert region needs in-depth investigation

She said the commission noted that despite efforts and budgetary allocation made by the Sindh government, significant improvement in social indicators such as education and health could not be achieved.

Extraction of granite from Karoonjhar Hills

One of the issues that they looked into was the extraction of granite from the Karoonjhar Hills.

“We heard conflicting stories from the government departments with no clarity about which department owns the mineral-rich hills. Though the extraction work has stopped now, damage has already been caused and we urge the government of Sindh to come up with a comprehensive policy on the extraction of mines and minerals given the new realities of Thar and other parts of the province where large development projects have been initiated,” she said.

“We were also informed about a site of mineral extraction where the contractors did not fill in the deep pits and some children fell into it to their deaths. The commission has ordered local revenue authorities that the pits should be filled immediately,” she said.

Thar is mineral-rich and there has been increased activity in extraction of minerals particularly from the Nagarparkar area, which is equally important for local people as they see these mountains as a part of their culture and heritage. It is said that these hills and the forest there was a source of livelihood for the people living around the area.

“The commission urges the government that any such activity must take into account the fact that no cultural site is damaged or affected,” she said.

“The commission also received complaints that the labourers at these sites in many cases are not local and even when locals are hired they are not paid proper wages. We ask local authorities to ensure that the indigenous people are hired and wages are paid to them according to the law. The commission plans to undertake a comprehensive exercise involving the labour department so that rights of workers are protected,” she said.

The team also visited the area in Thar where 26 people were killed due to lightning strikes and their families have still not been properly rehabilitated or compensated.

“The government needs to pay immediate attention. The poor families of the deceased should be given due compensation. There is also a need to look into precautionary measures to avoid such incidents in the future,” she said.

“Thar is prone to calamities and droughts but there is hardly any proper rescue and support programme on the ground to help in such emergencies. The commission has written to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority about this,” she added.

Child mortality rate remains high

Coming to the issue of child mortality in Thar, she said that it remains high, which is a major concern.

“The issue needs in-depth investigation as everyone says that children in Thar die in infancy due to poverty and undernourishment. However, a major phenomenon noticed by the commission is marriages of minor girls whose reproductive system has not even fully developed. As a result, their babies are born with weaknesses.

“The commission has directed local authorities including the police to ensure implementation of the Sindh Child Marriage Restraint Act 2013, and we will continue to engage with stakeholders to find a lasting solution to this problem,” she said.

Regarding coal extraction and power plants in Thar, she said that it had resulted in the relocation of many villages and they had received a complaint from one village consisting of about 150 families which was badly affected as a particular company was not willing to arrange relocation on the basis that the village was not on the map of revenue department.

“Now these villagers have to travel miles to find a way out as the company has cordoned off their area from many sides. All the villages here may not be on maps but people have been living in these villages for centuries. The commission will look into this matter in detail but we urge the government of Sindh and relevant companies to ensure human rights in all development projects. Any development there is for the people and it must lead to convenience for them, not difficulties,” she pointed out.

Call to investigate increasing suicides

Another issue, discussed by Justice Rizvi was the increasing number of suicides committed by women, men, young girls, children and even couples in Thar.

“It is mostly because of depression, which is not easily diagnosed. The matter needs further investigation and research to ascertain the exact reasons so that remedial measures can be taken,” she said.

Justice Rizvi also said that Thar has a large number of religious minorities but she was glad to see that unlike their previous visits where they used to learn of human rights violations against minorities, this time around they did not receive any major complaint of any persecution against minorities.

“We note this with satisfaction that religious harmony exists in the Thar area and people share sentiments of love, affection and sympathy with each other as communities coexist in a peaceful environment,” she said.

“But that said, we have asked the police and other government agencies to keep an eye on miscreants and not to tolerate any activities that may harm the peaceful environment of the area.”

Finally, the commission also noted that despite Sindh government’s efforts and budgetary allocation, significant improvement in social indicators such as education and health could not be achieved.

“The commission has sought detailed reports from local authorities regarding this matter. We shall take up the matter at the highest level.”

Justice Rizvi said that she planned on releasing a detailed report in the coming weeks along with hosting a consultation to look for solutions to the problems faced by the people of Thar.

Published in Dawn, December 5th, 2019