About WCHR

Message From the Chairman

Since the evolution of mankind, there has been rule of might and the concept of “Might is Right” was common practice. There was a system of de-powering the weak and poor classes of society and the purpose was to rule and suppress them. This culture of ignorance prevailed all over in the communities of the world at each level of civilization, neglecting the fellow human beings of their rights and self-respect. Early in the eighteenth-century with the introduction of industrial revolution, the demands for Social Rights Achieving and Self Rights Protection Concepts started emerging. With the passage of time man learnt and developed the senses how to protect himself of cruel and unjustified hands and started practicing law and legislation to safeguard their rights while serving the capitalists in factory premises. Now the sense of social rights and civics aroused the man to fight for his rights. The civilization started developing and advancement in lifestyles started taking place all over the world, more in the developing and to some extent in the underdeveloped countries like this part of world, the sub-continent, Indo-Pak.

In the year 1999, some fair-well, indomitable and passioned citizens, having close contacts with NGOs communities and sublime with the purpose in mind, established World Commission on Human Rights (WCHR) to “Serve and Fight” to safeguard the human rights. This is an independent Non-Profit, Non-Political and Non-governmental Organization with objectives to protect and promote Human Rights in all aspects/fields of life including:

• Health Awareness Education and Health Care Services.
• Civics rights Awareness (Basic life styles promotion)
• Education with Emphasis on Adult Literacy
• Education amongst Female Community
• Computer Knowledge/Literacy & Education
• Environment Protection with Pollution Control, Awareness Campaigns

To start this was not an easy task, but with the commitment and active support of our members and activists, we achieved tremendous success in establishing strong linkage with the communities at the grass-root level, creating awareness about their rights to empower them, both geo-politically and socio-economically.

WCHR is promoting a unique holistic approach—combining Human Rights Advocacy with physical development initiative. By adopting this approach, WCHR has achieved tremendous success with encouraging results, particularly in the most backward areas of the country like Federally Administrated Tribal Areas (FATA) and Provincially Administered Tribal Areas (PATA) of Pakistan. This great national service was only possible with all members’ self-financed support without obtaining or asking any sort of financial or technical assistance from any national or international donor agency. It is on record that without getting a single penny from any corner/agency, WCHR has served the communities with such great achievements.

There is a strong belief that sharing experiences and information by developing liaisons in enhancing the technical capabilities of different NGOs will remarkably improve the service capabilities and strengths of NGOs sector. Therefore, it would really be encouraging and advisable to share our information with others, which may result in exploring new ways and means in our cooperative endeavors in future. WCHR is interested in sharing its experiences and information with other NGOs and expects the same from others. Hopefully, the NGOs sector will respond positively to our sincere endeavors of promoting and understanding the sense of co-operation within NGO Communities.

Keeping our ten years performance in view, we hope that the international agencies will encourage and support our organization in its efforts to protect human rights and promote solutions for their very basic and common problems and issues. It aims at creation of Healthier, Civilized, Liberal and peaceful Society in Pakistan.

With thanks,
(HIKMAT SHAH AFRIDI)
Chairman

Introduction

As a new and dynamic Organization, WCHR has adopted a unique holistic approach towards advocacy for Human Development. By adopting multipurpose approaches, WCHR has produced tremendous results, particularly in the most backward areas of the country like the Tirah area and other tribal agencies [Administrated by the Federal Government of Pakistan, called Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA)] in the field of IDPs support, conflict resolution justice, reconstruction, and especially mediation between militant groups and Government authorities to establish peace and stop violations in the region. This was possible only with the support of our activists and active participation of the local communities.

History and Background of FATA and Its Inhabitants

The background history of tribal territories and its inhabitants is very colorful. Its people are leading a tribal customs-based life. They are brave, great fighters, noble, and traditional. They have great courage to face hardships and are living a mountainous life. Their history is recorded by the British Regime during their rule over the subcontinent. The British Government could not rule or administer this part of Indo-Pakistan subcontinent. This tribal territory borders Afghanistan from North to South, mapping some more than 1500 km of border. These tribes extend from NWFP in the north up to Balochistan in the south. The total population of these 7 agencies is approximately 8 million. There is no infrastructure for development for people due to some special political reasons and grounds.

There are no roads for communication, very poor health infrastructures, and inadequate facilities for health care service delivery. There is no proper education system or civic facilities for the communities. There are no policies or campaigns for awareness regarding health and education to promote a healthy and literate lifestyle to produce civilized citizens in these far and remote uncivilized areas. This has resulted in conflicts causing bloodshed over small disputes among tribesmen. Some very important and main causes of this cultural stagnation are as follows: These people are experts in arms and ammunition and manufacture them locally. There is no concept of industry because there is a scarcity of water, and fields/lands for cultivation are limited. Therefore, people are mostly involved in illegal activities for earning their livelihood. There is a large scope for creating a sense of awareness and human development in all fields of life such as health, education, cultural and social rights promotion along with their basic religious teachings, industrialization, and agro-business plans development and implementation

What is the need of the hour?

There is an urgent need for industrial zones in the FATA region. There is wide scope for such an industry. Small industries can be developed in this regard. People may be given small loans so that they can develop their skills in their respective fields. To display these skills at an international level, there is an idea of arranging a Border Trade Exhibition, which will serve the function of bringing nations closer to each other. The loans provided to the people may be returned by them within a period of 15 years. For the purpose of providing the loans, there is an urgent need to establish a FATA Development Bank, which may provide loans under Islamic rules and regulations. It is suggested that these loans may be provided with zero interest, given that electricity is available at no cost and taxes are exempted.

In addition, there are huge deposits of Chromate, Copper, White-Marble, and Manganese. Unfortunately, all these resources are still untapped. A great income can be generated by the exploration of these natural resources. If any progress is made in this field, 60 percent of the outcome profit must be spent on the education sector. This will enable people to gain awareness and make them independent. It will also prevent their exploitation at the hands of unfair elements of society.

With the cooperation of international donor agencies, an industrial revolution can be brought up in the whole region. We are looking for help from FRDP, LDP, FDA, UNESCO, UNICEF, UNDP, and USAID. We invite the participation of donor agencies (especially the European Union), which are already working in the field.

WCHR has already completed the fieldwork regarding the above-mentioned points. To put these thoughts into practice, we just need financial support from international donors and technical support from the Governor Secretariat (FATA Development Authority).

Cooperation in the Field of Human Development Services and Policies Implementation

This was really a difficult and momentous task, but with the commitment and active support of our members and activists, we have achieved tremendous success in establishing strong linkage with local communities at the grassroots level, creating awareness about their rights for empowering them politically and socioeconomically.

Apart from that, WCHR has established the Institute for Human Rights Studies (IHRS) in Islamabad for the promotion of human rights education across Pakistan. Keeping in view our effective network and initiatives, WCHR expects support from all esteemed organizations in the form of sharing experience, information, technical & financial support. This initiative will result in exploring new ways and means in our cooperative endeavors in the future. We are sure that all international organizations (NGOs and donors) will respond positively to our request for promotion, understanding, and developing cooperation.

WCHR hopes that international agencies will come up with some concrete formula with decisions and action with WCHR and will encourage and support this organization in its efforts to protect human rights and promote solutions for the creation of a better, tolerant, free, and civilized society in Pakistan. As a matter of fact, almost all the national and international organizations working for human rights and human development affairs are silent over the extremely poor human rights situation in FATA, which is of geo-physical importance regarding its geographical position in the region and its people with a unique lifestyle and living patterns. Development in this area/region will close the doors to narcotics, smuggling, arms and ammunition trafficking, and terrorist activities in the region.

The old and outdated colonial administrative setup and education system in FATA is specially considered to be responsible for all the decelerated socio-economic, geo-political, and bribed masters’ administrative ills of this tribal society, FATA. It needs a change, but the question arises: who will play the role of catalyst to bring the change, and how? The WCHR has a well-mechanized program and has developed comprehensive projects to bring up the livelihood standards for the population of FATA to match with other parts of the country.

The WCHR, having grass-root level links within the tribal community, is making all efforts to address the problems of this eternally neglected and backward area of Pakistan. WCHR, if supported by international donor agencies, can change the destiny of the people of FATA with brighter outputs and outlooks.

FATA Reforms at a Glance

To address FATA problems, WCHR has organized many walks, seminars, conferences, and workshops to create awareness among the people in FATA. As a trendsetter, WCHR now intends to organize the first-ever “Grand Tribal” activists and students convention to share their knowledge, experiences, and views with us on tribal reforms.

One of the main objectives of WCHR is to bring the Tribal Areas at par with settled areas of Pakistan. FATA presently needs roads, electricity, telephones, internet services, schools, hospitals, safe drinking water, and industries. We give an open invitation to the Government and international agencies to come forward and help us in bringing social change in FATA in order to alleviate the sufferings of poor tribesmen. WCHR appeals to the Government of Pakistan to ensure the protection and preservation of Human Rights, particularly the rights of women and children in FATA, and enact laws to the same effect.

WCHR also requests the Government to allow and support NGOs to work and provide assistance in FATA and encourage international agencies to support the grass-root level community-based organizations (CBOs) in FATA so that social change is brought by the people themselves with their own participation and contribution rather than imposed arrangements. WCHR will fully support and provide a platform to all national and international donor agencies and NGOs regarding this matter.

In a Nutshell, Following Are the Recommendations by WCHR:

• WCHR intends the people of FATA to be empowered and given full democratic and political rights and freedom.
• WCHR demands constitutional changes that may allow the superior courts to operate in FATA and empower the Parliament to legislate for FATA rather than running the affairs of FATA through Presidential Orders and Ordinances.
• WCHR intends to promote free, healthy, and civilized lifestyles to protect human rights in FATA.
• It aims to cut down/defeat all challenges and hazards brought by terrorists and activists in tribal areas of FATA by bringing about a socially civilized balanced society in the communities of FATA.

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Future Plans and Objectives of WCHR

• To create consciousness pertaining to Human Rights amongst the citizens.
• To work for the implementation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other related covenants and protocols in Pakistan.
• To cooperate with national and international organizations, groups, and individuals engaged in promoting Human Rights and service development at home and abroad.
• To take necessary actions in preventing Human Rights violations by providing aid and assistance, including legal aid to victims of Human Rights violations and also to individuals and groups striving to protect Human Rights.
• To receive and investigate reported and unreported cases and allegations of Human Rights violations and to recommend appropriate remedial actions to concerned authorities.
• To make efforts and adopt strategies to provide basic necessities of life, such as:

• Safe drinking water and awareness on waterborne diseases and their spread.
• Medical relief and first aid management to meet up emergency medical needs in disaster and calamity-hit zones.
• To provide dowry and assistance to poor and jobless/helpless girls and women.
• To initiate drainage and other rural development schemes like model village programs, particularly for the people of remote areas like FATA.
• To establish shelters for refugees and displaced people throughout Pakistan, including FATA.
• To give legal advice and full protection to victims of sexual abuse, children, women, minorities, and refugees.
• To help and keep the environment free from pollution by encouraging tree plantation, awareness creation, research, and other measures and campaign launching with the help of local Community-Based Organizations (CBOs).
• To reduce dust load over the population in urban areas of Pakistan, especially the industrialized cities. For this purpose, a project to address this hazard proposal has already been compiled by experts of Peshawar University (NWFP) for processing through international donor agencies.
• To educate and create consciousness among the younger generation of both genders against drug abuse, narcotics menace, and HIV/AIDS spread and work for the health and welfare of youth and adolescents in society to control communicable diseases and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

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Short-Term Programs

• To organize workshops, seminars, walks, and training courses to educate and sensitize the people about their basic rights.
• To establish welfare centers for disadvantaged people.
• To make women aware of their basic rights, including:

• Political & Family Rights
• Haq Mehr and Inheritance (Wirasat) Rights
• Family Health
• Reproductive Health
• Health Education and Jobs Creation

• To work for communal harmony and minorities’ rights.
• To create awareness among tribesmen and women to fight terrorism.
• To develop a culture of self-help and promote lifestyles free of narcotics, arms, and ammunition spread.
• To develop an atmosphere of Human Development and Education in children and adolescents.
• To promote an ideological culture to build up socio-economic strengths in tribal territories.

WCHR Performance and Achievements so Far Made

Education:

Currently, WCHR is running two primary schools for orphans and other students of Tirah Area. Both these schools have 470 and 525 students respectively. WCHR is providing textbooks, exercise books, and stationery to all students free of cost and has a plan for upgrading one primary school to middle standard, accommodating about 1000 students. People of the area have already donated land measuring 10 kanals to WCHR for this purpose.

Health:

WCHR has already arranged many workshops, especially in rural areas and FATA, to provide awareness and medical relief to people in the following fields:

• Protection of eyes from diseases causing blindness.
• Preventive measures against Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD) and Hypertension.
• Awareness on hazards of DRUG ABUSE and its socioeconomic impact & family breakdown consequences.
• Awareness about HIV/AIDS and highly communicable Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), and Hepatitis B & C.
• Dr. Ghayur Ahmed (Public Health Specialist) is a WCHR volunteer consultant providing full assistance in all fields of Public Health and Primary Health Care (PHC) programs.

Additionally, WCHR is focusing on:

• Investing in Mother and Child Health to reduce MMR and IMR and related morbidities.
• Nutrition and growth monitoring of pregnant mothers and children under five.
• Promoting personal hygiene, food and clothing hygiene, house and street hygiene.

To promote these activities, campaigns on Public Health and Primary Health Care Programs need to be launched.

Justice:

WCHR has provided free legal advice to people in the following matters:

• 852 Families to resolve family disputes.
• 741 Businessmen to help them in their business issues.
• More than 1000 Criminal Cases have been provided with free legal advice and support.

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Drugs and Narcotics:

The WCHR has been providing advocacy against poppy cultivation in the FATA area. Some substitute decisions and actions for the people to get out of poverty have been implemented in FATA to discourage poppy cultivation. WCHR has been producing and disseminating literature against drug use and narcotics trafficking. Additionally, WCHR is mobilizing, sensitizing, and motivating religious and community leaders to preach against narcotics cultivation

WCHR: Refugees and Displaced Persons’ Rehabilitation Programs

Long-Term Planning:

To help refugees and homeless people, WCHR has established a separate Refugees and Displaced Persons Wing to provide assistance and relief.

WCHR is actively and successfully providing help to refugees in the following areas:

• Shelter & Rehabilitation Efforts
• Education
• Health
• Legal support and services

Future Planning:

• To establish Tribal University in Shahkas, Khyber Agency (FATA).
• To establish two degree colleges for males in each agency.
• To establish technical colleges for both males and females in each agency.
• To establish seven hundred dug wells for clean drinking water plus water tanks in FATA.
• To establish unit/centers for detoxification and treatment of drug addicts.
• Establishing diagnostic centers and laboratories in Tirah (FATA).
• Establishment of 30 Community Health Centers (CHC) at FATA, for which WCHR needs 15 ambulances for transporting serious and emergency patients to higher-level health facilities (DHQ and tertiary hospitals in cities).
• Establishing 12 Basic Health Units (BHU) in FATA.
• Establishing 40 vocational skills training centers in FATA.
• Establishing 60 primary schools (40 for boys, 20 for girls) in FATA.
• Establishing 10 polytechnic institutes in FATA.
• Establishing 30 stitching and handicrafts centers for females in FATA.
• Managing free distribution of sewing machines to poor women, girls, and widows.

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Rehabilitation Plans of WCHR:

For Earthquake Victims and Orphan Children – Immediate and Short-Term Plans

WCHR is planning to establish rehabilitation centers for orphans of earthquake victims at Islamabad/Rawalpindi and its suburbs, which include:

• General education
• Skilled education and training
• Capacity building of working communities in earthquake-affected areas

An Account of WCHR Recent Services to Combat Earthquake Disaster and Assistance in Relief Activities

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Disaster Management and Relief Services Provided in AJK & NWFP Pakistan by WCHR:

To meet emergency needs and demands of the affected masses in earthquake-hit zones of October 8, 2005, WCHR prioritized and mobilized its members and their relatives/friends both inland and abroad to raise funds for relief services.

A proactive and fast action was initiated to raise funds, focusing on safe drinking water supply, medicines, blankets, and clothing for the homeless on an urgent basis.

• By midnight, a total sum of Rs. 7 million was collected, and food, water, and medicines were arranged for victims in Rawalakot, Mansehra, Balakot, Bagh, Muzaffarabad, and surrounding areas.
• 100 volunteers, 12 doctors, 30 paramedics, and support workers were mobilized on October 9 & 10, 2005, with emergency relief provided by October 9th, 2005.
• A rapid campaign via telephone and emails helped raise Rs. 10 million within 72 hours for further relief efforts.

Teams of doctors, paramedics, and social workers reached the most affected areas of NWFP and AJK, including:

• Balakot, Batagram, Shangla, Shunkari, Mansehra, and small villages in Hazara Division, NWFP.

Four teams, each with 10 members, were sent to Bagh, Rawalakot, Muzaffarabad, and Leepa Valley, Gari Dopatta, and Chakothi.

• 10 million rupees worth of medicine, clothing, and blankets were provided to the affected in the first week after the earthquake.
• WCHR continues to organize relief efforts, planning to distribute more than Rs. 10 million worth of food, medicine, and shelter by Eid-ul-Fitr to affected areas.

A map of affected areas was drawn, highlighting urgent and top-priority relief service locations.

Short/Immediate Term Plannings

Top Most Priority:

Needs of WCHR and Demands From Donor Agencies

The organization has resource limitations and likes to rehabilitate the families at their doorsteps, which is the demand of deserving people. For this purpose, the commission needs funds to construct at least 5000 one- and two-room homes for the people of calamity-hit areas. Funds must be raised for short-term services and programs. The immediate aid and help have made a lot of people stand up and face this calamity. However, the mid-term plan needs to be implemented, the details of which are given below.

A) Construction of Small Homes

The commission has taken immediate and successful action. No doubt, only God can heal the physical, mental, and socio-economic losses of the affected communities, but efforts are still made by the Commission to settle people down and help them return to normal life patterns in a couple of months.

The plan includes constructing small houses to provide them with shelter. These houses will be made of low-cost material, consisting of one bedroom, one hall, and very basic needs like a WC and kitchen. It is expected that one house for one family as an initial step of rehabilitation will encourage the affected population.

• Size: One home covering 300 sq. ft.
• Cost per home: Rs. 0.3 million (3 lacs)
• Total homes planned: 5000 homes
• Total estimated cost: Rs. 1500 million (25 million USD, i.e., 2 crore and 50 lacs USD)

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B) Rehabilitation of Orphan Children

The second most essential activity planned is establishing a Rehabilitation Campus in rented buildings for orphaned children. This initiative will help thousands of children who have lost their parents and are hopeless about their future.

Large buildings with at least 5000 sq. ft. of covered area have been arranged in Rawalpindi and Islamabad suburbs, where rent values are lower than in central Islamabad. Initially, this activity will accommodate at least 5000 orphans, but the commission needs unlimited funds.

• Estimated required funds: At least 3 million USD
• Monthly cost per child: Rs. 3000 (50 USD)
• First phase cost (5000 children for one month): Rs. 0.25 million USD (3 million per year)

The commission seeks donor commitment for at least 3 years, by which time the commission aims to take up all financial responsibility. The long-term goal includes constructing brick orphan houses in Rawalpindi/Islamabad, where children will be educated, trained, and supported until they become independent.

Future Vision of WCHR: Fight Against Terrorism – Long Term Plan

The broad-spectrum future vision of WCHR is to seek international community guidance on improving its plans. Global cooperation and support are essential to implement these programs and prevent terrorist activities.

• The objective of WCHR is not only to rehabilitate orphan children but also to develop them into good, civilized citizens with a social and civic sense.
• WCHR aims to prevent terrorist recruitment of vulnerable youth and instead promote literacy and civilization development in FATA/PATA.
• These initiatives will benefit Pakistan and contribute to global counter-terrorism efforts.

Final Message:

“Let us serve humanity with a lifestyle free of terrorism, to enjoy freedom with love, peace, and prosperity.”

Pomegranate is The Answer

We, the people of Pakistan, have never forgotten the time when we were pleasantly granted independence by the British Crown.

Not only that, but the infrastructure laid down by the Crown over there is so caring and long-standing that it has been recalled to us even today. The past golden days and whenever any person or official of Great Britain visits us or takes interest in our affairs, we feel happy.

Unfortunately, during the last six decades, we could not perform well in different fields, particularly education. As a result, to meet economic needs, we started some unhealthy activities, such as the cultivation of poppy crops.

Mr. James Brett, in his visit to our territory, has observed that the plantation of pomegranate trees instead of poppy crops will not only help the economy of the people but also be useful for their own health and for the health of all concerned. In this regard, Simon Lord Reading, Founder of POM354, has helped and shown much eagerness in the plantation of pomegranate. The people of FATA appreciate his efforts a lot.

According to our statistics, the entire land of the Seven Tribal Agencies (FATA) is 27,00,000 hectares, of which 8% is in cultivation.

We have adopted a Jarga, where we talked to the elders of FATA about the cultivation of pomegranates, and they supported the project a lot. We have successfully arranged a fruitful meeting between James Brett and the Governor of NWFP, and we succeeded in getting the support letter for the continuation of this project.

This project will soon be launched, as much of the fieldwork is already accomplished. This will certainly be an excellent joint venture between WCHR and POM354.

I have talked to the people, and they are willing and determined to substitute their injurious crops with pomegranate gardens, but due to lack of financial resources and modern technology, they could not do so. I hope POM354 (based in the UK) will help and guide us for the sake of betterment and development, as our people are in dire need of such projects.

With this, I shall say thanks to all of you, with hopes.