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Religious Discrimination Forcing Families to Flee Pakistan, Says UN Volunteer

A volunteer with the Sambhali Trust addressed the UN Human Rights Council on the plight of migrants from minority communities who have moved from Pakistan to India. She stated that religious discrimination is the primary, intolerable factor forcing people to leave Pakistan. The trust provides essential support like livelihood assistance and education to these vulnerable communities in Rajasthan. The volunteer also shared a broader message of compassion and open-hearted dialogue learned from her experiences in India.

Key Points: UN Session Hears of Religious Discrimination Driving Pakistan Exodus

  • Religious intolerance cited as migration driver
  • Grassroots groups provide critical support to migrants
  • Focus on livelihood and education for asylum seekers
  • Call for global compassion and open-heartedness
2 min read

Religious discrimination forcing families to leave Pakistan, says volunteer at UNHRC

A volunteer at the UNHRC highlights religious discrimination as the key reason families are leaving Pakistan for India, citing grassroots support work.

"The reason why these people... are leaving their nation, Pakistan, is basically because of religious discrimination - Lara Delutis"

Geneva, March 7

Lara Delutis, a volunteer representing the Sambhali Trust, a community-based non-profit organisation based in Rajasthan, spoke at the 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council about the challenges faced by migrants from minority communities who have moved from Pakistan to India. She also highlighted the important role grassroots organisations play in supporting them.

Speaking to ANI on the sidelines of the 61st UNHRC session in Geneva, Delutis recalled her visit to Rajasthan, where the Sambhali Trust operates.

During her visit, she met several women and families who had migrated from Pakistan years ago. She said witnessing their experiences left a deep impression on her.

"There I had the chance to meet many women who came from Pakistan and many families who had migrated years ago," she said.

Delutis highlighted the work carried out by the Sambhali Trust in supporting migrants and vulnerable communities in the region.

"Sambhali Trust is an organisation that is really working for asylum seekers, especially in desert communities. They are providing livelihood support, education, and assistance in cases of emergency," she said.

Speaking about the reasons behind the migration of several families from Pakistan, Delutis pointed to religious discrimination as a major factor.

"The reason why these people, unfortunately, are leaving their nation, Pakistan, is basically because of religious discrimination, which is absolutely intolerable," she said.

Delutis also shared a broader message of compassion and openness based on her experiences in India.

"My message to the world is that we should try to live with our hearts open. This is what I learned in India. That open-hearted conversation and openness is something we can express even through a simple 'Namaste,'" she said.

"So we should really remember our roots and live with our hearts open. That will take us in the right direction," she added.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
While the work of the Sambhali Trust is commendable, I hope the UNHRC also puts pressure on Pakistan to uphold the rights of its own citizens. International attention is needed to address the root cause, not just the symptoms.
R
Rohit P
It's good that this issue is being highlighted on a global stage. But let's be honest, our own systems for supporting these refugees in Rajasthan and Gujarat can be slow and bureaucratic. We need better government policies to integrate them faster, not just rely on NGOs.
P
Priya S
"Live with our hearts open" – what a beautiful message from Lara. That's the spirit of *Atithi Devo Bhava*. These families have lost so much; providing them livelihood and education is the least we can do. More power to the grassroots workers!
V
Vikram M
The situation is very complex. While religious discrimination is a major push factor, we must also acknowledge the economic and social challenges these migrants face even after coming to India. Their stories need to be heard, not just as statistics.
K
Kavya N
Heart-wrenching. No one should have to flee their homeland because of their faith. I'm glad organizations like this exist. We as a society also have a responsibility to be welcoming and not view them with suspicion. #HumanityFirst

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