Iqbal Masih

Iqbal Masih was a Pakistani child labour activist who gained international recognition for his efforts to combat bonded labour in Pakistan. Born in Muridke, Punjab, Pakistan, Iqbal Masih's life was marked by his experiences as a child labourer in a carpet factory owned by Arshad Ali. His story drew attention from human rights organizations, including the International Labour Organization and UNICEF, which worked to address the issue of child labour in South Asia. Iqbal Masih's activism also led to collaborations with Pakistani non-governmental organizations, such as the Bonded Labour Liberation Front, founded by Ehsan Ullah Khan.

● Early Life

Iqbal Masih was born in 1983 in Muridke, Punjab, Pakistan, to a family of Punjabi Muslims. His family was deeply indebted to a carpet manufacturer, Arshad Ali, who owned a carpet factory in Muridke. At the age of four, Iqbal Masih was forced to work in the carpet factory to pay off his family's debt, a common practice known as bonded labour or debt bondage. This form of exploitation is prohibited by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which were ratified by Pakistan in 1990. Iqbal Masih's experiences as a child labourer were similar to those of other Pakistani children, such as Kailash Satyarthi, who also worked to combat child labour in India and Nepal.

● Career

as an Activist Iqbal Masih's career as an activist began when he escaped from the carpet factory at the age of ten and joined the Bonded Labour Liberation Front, a Pakistani non-governmental organization that worked to free bonded labourers. With the help of Ehsan Ullah Khan, the founder of the organization, Iqbal Masih began to speak out against bonded labour and child labour in Pakistan. His activism drew attention from international organizations, including the International Labour Organization, UNICEF, and Amnesty International, which worked to address the issue of child labour in South Asia. Iqbal Masih also collaborated with other human rights activists, such as Malala Yousafzai, who advocated for girls' education in Swat Valley, and Asma Jahangir, a Pakistani lawyer who worked to promote human rights in Pakistan.

● Death and Legacy

Iqbal Masih was shot and killed on April 16, 1995, at the age of twelve, while riding a bicycle in Muridke, Punjab, Pakistan. His death was widely condemned by human rights organizations, including the International Labour Organization and Amnesty International, which called for an investigation into his murder. Iqbal Masih's legacy continues to inspire human rights activists around the world, including Kailash Satyarthi, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 for his efforts to combat child labour in India and Nepal. Iqbal Masih's story has also been recognized by organizations such as the Reebok Human Rights Award, which was established by Reebok in 1988 to recognize human rights activists around the world.

● Impact on Bonded Labour Laws

Iqbal Masih's activism had a significant impact on bonded labour laws in Pakistan and around the world. His story drew attention to the issue of bonded labour and child labour in South Asia, leading to increased pressure on governments to address the problem. In 1992, the Pakistani government passed the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, which prohibited the practice of bonded labour in Pakistan. The law was enforced by organizations such as the International Labour Organization and UNICEF, which worked to monitor and prevent child labour in Pakistan. Iqbal Masih's legacy continues to inspire efforts to combat child labour and bonded labour around the world, including initiatives by organizations such as the Global March Against Child Labour and the International Justice Mission. Category:Human rights activists