What is WSI?

The World Sindhi Institute (WSI) is a 501(c)3-certified nonprofit organization based in Washington, DC.  WSI is committed to achieving human rights for the Sindhis of Sindh in southeastern Pakistan through a nonviolent advocacy, activist, and academic campaign.  WSI brings together Sindhis of all religious and geographical backgrounds and their supporters in a proactive, progressive movement whose purpose is to inform others of the human rights and environmental atrocities occurring in Sindh.  WSI initiates and welcomes collaborative projects with other governmental and non-governmental organizations and individuals seeking positive, nonviolent change in South Asia and elsewhere.  

What does WSI do, and how does it directly affect Sindh?

WSI both directly and indirectly affects Sindh and the Sindhi people.  In terms of direct support, WSI is currently petitioning Voice of America to launch a Sindhi-language radio program in Sindh.  Petitions are circulating throughout Sindh and abroad, with several thousand signatures to date.  We are also working with local Sindhis to document reports of human rights abuse to hold the government accountable, and to increase pressure for reform.  Sindh Watch magazine promotes Sindh-based organizations, in hopes of securing outside support and donations for their causes.  In 2005, WSI will hold educational lectures on a number of issues related to human rights, education, the environment, women’s rights, etc.

Indirectly, WSI works with human rights organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch to bring attention to human rights abuses in Sindh.  We also press the Sindhi cause at relevant meetings of the United Nations, namely the UN Commission on Human Rights.  WSI’s new London-based office will focus on lobbying world bodies based in Europe, such as the European Union.  WSI documents and archives reports of abuse for use when advocating.  Moreover, WSI’s quarterly publication, Sindh Watch, promotes Sindhi culture, language and history, and is distributed to almost 3,000 individuals and organizations worldwide, including Sindhis, politicians, academics, and human rights groups.  Current Sindhi issues, as well as culture and history, are addressed through conferences, lectures, vigils, rallies, and cultural events held regularly throughout the U.S., Canada and abroad. 

Combined, WSI’s activities press the Pakistani government for reforms.   

What human rights statistics are available for Sindh?

Most human rights abuses reports focus on Pakistan in general.  WSI is in the process of documenting those committed in Sindh province.  Following are some general statistics:

Prisons and Detention

• According to HRCP, there were 80,000 prisoners in jails that were built to hold a maximum of 35,833 persons.

• According to Amnesty International, an estimated 4,500 children were held in the nation's prisons, of which 3,000 were awaiting trial.

• HRCP estimated that in 2002, there were almost as many individuals awaiting trial in jail as there were prisoners serving sentences.

• NGOs estimate that approximately 70% of women in jails were awaiting trial for adultery-related Hudood offences. The National Commission on the Status of Women issued a report in October, 2002 that stated "as many as 88% of female prisoners are serving time for violating the 1977 Zine Ordinance [Hudood]".  Most women tried under the ordinance were acquitted, but the stigma of an adultery charge alone is severe.

Religious Minorities and Discrimination

• The Constitution requires that laws be consistent with Islam and imposed some elements of Koranic law on both Muslims and religious minorities. All citizens, regardless of their religious affiliation, were subject to certain provisions of Shari'a, such as the blasphemy laws. Reprisals and threats of reprisals against suspected converts were common. Members of religious minorities were subject to violence and harassment, and police at times refused to prevent such actions or to charge persons who commit them, which contributed to a climate of impunity for acts of violence and intimidation against religious minorities.

• The government distinguished between Muslims and non-Muslims with regard to politics and political rights. According to the Constitution, the President and the Prime Minister must be Muslim. The Prime Minister, federal ministers, and ministers of state, as well as elected members of the Senate and National Assembly (including non-Muslims) must take an oath to "strive to preserve the Islamic ideology, which is the basis for the creation of Pakistan".

• In 2002, there were 10 minorities in the 342-seat legislature; there were none in the Cabinet; and there were none in the Supreme Court.

• Government authorities afford religious minorities fewer legal protections than are afforded to Sunni Muslim citizens. Members of religious minorities are subject to violence and harassment, and police at times refuse to prevent such actions or to charge persons who commit them. In 2002, at least 100 cases of sectarian violence occurred in the country, most carried out by unidentified gunmen.

AIDS and HIV

• The spread of HIV/AIDS was estimated to have infected approximately 2,080 persons in 2002, and there was societal discrimination against persons with HIV/AIDS.

Sectarian Violence

• At least 100 persons were killed in sectarian violence in Pakistan in 2002, most carried out by unidentified gunmen.

Violence Against Women

• In 2002, the press reported on hundreds of incidents of violence against women, and drew attention to the killings of married women by relatives over dowry or other family-related disputes. Most of the victims were burned to death, allegedly in kitchen-stove accidents; some women reportedly were burned with acid.

• It is estimated that at least 631 women were killed as a result of honor killings, known as "karo/kari" (or adulterer/adulteress) in Sindh, during the year.  This figure represents half of all honor killings in Pakistan.

• It is estimated that less than 1/3 of all rapes are reported to the police (2002), and conviction rates for those that are reported remain low.  Police rarely respond to and sometimes are implicated in these attacks.  According to HRCP, in most rape cases the victims are pressured to drop charges because of the threat of Hudood adultery or fornication charges against them if they cannot prove the absence of consent.  According to one human rights monitor, 80% of adultery-related Hudood cases were filed without supporting evidence.

Police Violence

• The Interior Ministry of Pakistan reported that 548 persons were killed in police encounters in 2002, with 114 encounter deaths reported in the first 6 months of 2003. 

• Police reportedly kill suspected criminals to circumvent or overcome insufficient evidence, to intimidate witnesses, judicial corruption, and, at times, political pressure.

• Police personnel continue to torture persons in custody throughout the country.

Forced Labor

• Human rights groups report that as many as 50 private jails housing some 4,500 bonded laborers were maintained by landlords in rural Sindh in 2002.

Education

• The gross primary enrollment rate for the country was 86.2% in 2002.

• According to the World Bank, more than 1/3 of the nation’s 10-year-olds have never attended school.

• The female literacy rate is currently 27% (2002), just more than half that of males.

Health

• Children suffered a high rate of preventable childhood diseases. According to the National Institute of Child Health Care, more than 70% of deaths between birth and the age of 5 years were caused by easily preventable ailments such as diarrhea and malnutrition.

How many members does WSI have?

Until late 2004, WSI was not a membership-based organization.  Our membership drive began in November 2004. We are currently in the process of launching our membership drive, aimed at increasing awareness of Sindhi culture and activities, and to enable WSI to more effectively champion human rights in Sindh. 

How can I support WSI?

There are a number of ways.  You can:

·        Become a member/make a donation (see below);

·        Volunteer your time at WSI’s DC office or telecommute;

·        Donate a gift or service (computers, furniture, legal, etc.); 

·        Sign a petition;

·        Promote WSI and/or Sindhi culture.

Contact WSI to learn more about how you can get involved. WSI will tailor projects to your needs.  WSI can be reached at 202-637-3244/3245 (p), 202-637-3246 (f) or via email at wsihq@worldsindhi.org

How do I become a WSI member?

You can download a membership pledge form or contact WSI at 202-637-3244/3245 (p), 202-637-3246 (f) or via email at wsihq@worldsindhi.org to receive a copy.  Membership rates are listed below.  Checks can be made payable to the World Sindhi Institute, located at 733 15^th Street, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20005.  Please allow four weeks for processing.

How much does membership cost?

WSI offers a number of membership options to meet your needs and wishes.  They include:

• Regular Annual Membership: $40/year (3-year discount: $100)

• Silver Annual Membership: $100/year

• VIP Annual Membership: $300/year

• Patron Annual Membership: $1,000/year

• Lifetime Patron Membership: $10,000

What are the benefits of membership?

Regular members ($40/year) receive:

• a complimentary subscription to WSI’s quarterly publication, Sindh Watch.

• Discount on 3-year membership enrollment: only $100

Silver members ($100/year) receive:

• a complimentary subscription to WSI’s quarterly publication, Sindh Watch.

• One Sindhi CD

• Acknowledgement (with your permission) in WSI’s conference proceedings and Sindh Watch magazine.

VIP members ($300/year) receive:

• a complimentary subscription to WSI’s quarterly publication, Sindh Watch.

• One Sindhi CD

• One Sindhi Video

• Acknowledgement (with your permission) in WSI’s conference proceedings and Sindh Watch magazine.

• WSI bronze lapel pin

Patron members ($1,000/year) receive:

• a complimentary subscription to WSI’s quarterly publication, Sindh Watch.

• One Sindhi CD

• One Sindhi Video

• Acknowledgement (with your permission) in WSI’s conference proceedings and Sindh Watch magazine.

• WSI silver lapel pin

• Invitation to join WSI’s Advisory Committee

• Easy payment plan option, offering payments in 5 equal installments

Lifetime patron members ($10,000) receive:

• a complimentary subscription to WSI’s quarterly publication, Sindh Watch.

• One Sindhi CD

• One Sindhi Video

• Acknowledgement (with your permission) in WSI’s conference proceedings and Sindh Watch magazine.

• WSI gold lapel pin

• Invitation to join WSI’s Advisory Committee

• Easy payment plan option, offering payments in 10 equal installments

• VIP seating at WSI Annual Conference

In addition, all WSI members receive:

• Complimentary admission to WSI’s annual conference, held each fall;

• Opportunity to partake in WSI-sponsored Sindhi research, fundraising, education, cultural and advocacy projects;

• Networking opportunities with thousands of Sindhis worldwide;

• All donations are tax-deductible under WSI’s 501(c)3 nonprofit status;

• Knowledge that their donations are working towards promoting human rights in Sindh.

How is WSI governed?

WSI is governed by a Board of Directors, who serve in a voluntary capacity in fixed terms.  Operational responsibilities and objectives are assumed by the Executive Director, staff and volunteers.  A Leadership Advisory Committee consists of active WSI volunteers who contribute their time towards meeting specific objectives of WSI, such as research, education, the promotion of Sindhi culture, and advocacy.