KARACHI, March 25: Participants of an International Fisherfolk convention on Saturday rejected imperialism; social injustice and discrimination among nations and demanded restoration of basic rights of fishermen.

The convention was organized by Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum at Jamote Jetty, Ibrahim Hyderi, in connection with the World Social Forum, 2006 programme.

A large number of foreign delegates, representatives of international fisherfolk organizations, human rights activists, social workers, fisheries experts, intellectuals, writers and more than 10,000 fishermen from various parts of Pakistan participated in the convention.

Speaking on the occasion, they said the world is changing but a better, peaceful, prosperous and equitable world order is only possible if deprived, disadvantaged and progressive sections of society forge unity and strive for a viable alternative to the current world order that is both repressive and divisive.

Thomas Kocherry of World Forum of Fisher-People said that sea is our mother and it has been evacuated from the fish resources. Exploited forms of fishing, marine pollution and commercialization in the fisheries sector have caused devastation in fishing resources.

Gusta Masiha, a representative of over 5,000 organisations, said people who fought for their rights were faced by same problems everywhere. There is a need to join hands to initiate the struggle against the problems.

The WSF representative from Brazil, Moeema Miranda, said: “WSF offers opportunities to bring together popular forces from varied constituencies to develop constructive alternatives that will defend the majority of world population from attack on fundamental human rights and lead them to move on to break power concentrations and extend domains of justice and freedom.

PFF chairman Mohammed Ali Shah said that the livelihood of fishermen everywhere in the globe is under threat.

Some richest people sitting in economical forums with the help of international financial organization want to control the world. They have caused acute poverty among the developing countries by introducing policies against the wishes of communities. This situation also lies with fishing communities in the whole world.

PFF general secretary Saeed Bloch, Husnain Iftikhar, delegate to the European Commission in Pakistan, K Lognathan from Tamil-Nado, Ms Fernando, Tiago Vier from Brazile, Frezo Mehdi from Canada, Alexis Fossi from France, Anita Rampal from India, Karamat Ali of PILER, Mohammed Sohbi from Morocco, Parosi Russi, Nimlika Farnado from Sri Lanka, Alexis Fossi, Tiago Vier, Feroz Mehdi, Nunehal Shah, Fatima Naqvi of Oxfam, Mustafa Talpur and Tahira Ali Majeed Motani also spoke.

At the end cultural shows, tableaus, dramas and musical programmes were also presented.—PPI