Some great news from our friends at the Green Rural Development Organization (GRDO)—one of the leading anti slavery organizations in Pakistan. GRDO succeeded in bringing 39 bonded laborers into freedom. The organization sent an email announcement to Free the Slaves, saying:
39 Bonded Labourer Peasants Released from District Umerkot
Ravto Kolhi a peasant working at the Farm of landlord Ali Gul Khaskheli,Kunri District Umerkot escaped from the farm, leaving behind his 32 family members including 7 children, 15 Women and 10 men. Ravto met the GRDO activist Soomar for help who took him to GRDO Team. GRDO helped him in legal aid to filed a case in High Court Hyderabad with by the Advocate Syed Inayat Hussain Shah. On 30th of July 2010 the case was filed against the landlord. Kunri Police District Umerkot raided the farm and produced 32 family members of Ravto to High Court. On 5th August Court ordered them to live free.
Another applicant named Darhoon Bheel was also escaped from the farm of landlord Malo Mangrio and met GRDO Activist Soomar, GRDO Team helped him with to file a case against the landlord to release his 5 family member left behind. Advocate Syed Inayat Hussain Shah filed the application on 31s July 2010 court ordered the Pithoro Police to produce the detenues to high court. On 5th August 2010 the High Court Ordered the Released bonded peasants to live free.
GRDO works closely with Free the Slaves’ own 2009 Frederick Douglass Award winner, Veero—a former slave who now dedicates her life to bringing others out of slavery. To read about Free the Slaves’ 2010 Freedom Award winners (of which this blog writer is one), go here.