International Human Rights Day, Malaysian Style.

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Today, the 10th of December is International Human Rights day.

“On December 10, 1948 the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights the full text of which appears in the following pages. Following this historic act the Assembly called upon all Member countries to publicize the text of the Declaration and “to cause it to be disseminated, displayed, read and expounded principally in schools and other educational institutions, without distinction based on the political status of countries or territories.”

PREAMBLE

Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law,

Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations,

Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,

Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in co-operation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms,

Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge,

Now, Therefore THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY proclaims THIS UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.

- from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights page.

*

The People’s Freedom Walk, Sunday, 9th December 2007 

The lawyers gather around 7.30 AM, outside SOGO. The 500-odd police personnel, and strong media people outnumber the small group of lawyers.

I parked my car at SOGO, when I noticed her get out of her van with her kids. They were a friendly, joyful bunch. She (the mother) ensured they were safe at all times, and was extremely responsible with them, given the circumstances of late, with parents being hit hard by the media and government for bringing children to protests. The walks held thus far, have been safe on the part of the participants. The volleys of tear gas and water cannons and undue violence from the part of the people with batons and guns are the the only forms of violence I have seen - I regret to say - that, isn’t so good for children.

Her daughter, who seemed to understand the seriousness of the moment, or at least she as was told by her mother.

Grandpawpaw, as mighty as ever.

Janice and I, smiling and happy at what we thought would be a peaceful walk, which would end rather uneventfully. Two hours later, we saw that we were completely deluded in thinking that.

The lawyers walk, for freedom of assembly, with the media and the people.

Suddenly, right in front of the Coliseum, after getting approval at Sogo, to quickly just walk to the Bar Council, the police stop the procession and tell them what they’re doing is illegal, and he wants to arrest them.

Latefa Koya, speaks out. “You said we could walk just now, why are you saying we cant walk now?” The police say they can walk, but it has to be done in ten minutes. The lawyers agree, and hurriedly continue the march. They continue to walk, faster this time, to finish in the time given by the police.

Members of the public are heard panting, and asking why they have to walk so fast, but most keep up with the pace, to reach the Bar Council as soon as possible, to enjoy a pleasant Sunday afternoon with friends and family.

Out of nowhere, the cops start running. Women and men, running toward the lawyers. Ironically, it is Masjid Jamek. The street that has seen a countless number of Malaysians fall, gassed, and shot at with water cannons during previous incidents. The police run toward the lawyers, having gotten an order to arrest them, despite only 4-5 minutes passing in the time (10 mins) given by the police themselves, earlier. I guess, someone’s word isn’t good enough anymore? I’m not sure.

All of them being taken into a police van. It was done very fast, the van even moved once without all getting in. They stopped again, shut the door, and were accompanied by out-riders.

More wastage of petrol, and money, on what we thought would be, and was until aforementioned events, a pleasant morning walk.

Haris Ibrahim, once again ironically, was asked by police officers to help lead the crowd back to the Bar Council, where hot coffee was served and the day’s events were scheduled to start.

The police somehow don’t get asked to disperse. So they stood there. One inspector from Dang Wangi said they hadn’t worked enough for the day, so they might as well stand. Oh, do spot the SB/Police guy, who is a regular at these type of events. They really need some PR people honestly, to help them dress, and look a bit more like the crowd. I’m sorry, but we can usually spot you a mile away. Take it from us, you’re not very inconspicuous. But, that’s okay. You do try

Ambiga, right before her opening address for the Festival. I’m sure she never expected her friend and colleague, Edmund Bon to later get arrested, for a simple thing like banners. Oh, how naive and hopeful we Malaysians are sometimes.

This guy, sitting at the upstairs window of the famous kopitiam in Lebuh Ampang - watching the commotion outside his window. They close on Sundays. Rather unfortunate as we were very hungry after the walk. Sometimes, I feel like how he looks. On the inside looking out, not able to do anything.

Edmund was explaining very slowly for the policeman’s benefit, in English and in Malay, that they had rented the private parking lot for the day’s events, could they please remove their car and go back to their stations? Because they were intimidating the public a little bit.

We finally have breakfast, near the Dang Wangi police station. Shar, Granpawpaw, Jeff Ooi, Kak Ena, Janice, Rocky, Desiderata, Tony, Stephen, Nanda, Haris and Melvin came along. Lovely after walk meal for all the carbs lost in the very brisk walk.

Finally, we go home. On the way, I am reminded by Pak Lah’s promise of 18. And the graffiti still sits there, a grim reminder of - nothing.

*

I lit a candle last night, for those wrongfully arrested (IMHO - including Mat Sabu, and Tian Chua, among others), and said the longest prayer I have ever said in awhile - that wasn’t for myself. They were wrongfully arrested. And as it states in the text of the Declaration of Human Rights, I urge you to publicize this document today, and to read it and fully understand how and where our country fits into each article.

Analyze, and question, and do it without fear. I hope you find some solace today, as I have found in the document, to never be afraid to express, assemble and to fight injustice, with a voice that is strong, clear, and truthful, but most of all, with a voice of hope and reason. Especially during dark times such as these, when hubris and cruelty have reigned with no consideration, or moral fiber. Ask, how you can change it today in your own capacity as a human being, and as a Malaysian. Have a good week folks.

Article 1.

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.

Article 2.

Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.

Article 3.

Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.

Article 4.

No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.

Article 5.

No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Article 6.

Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.

Article 7.

All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.

Article 8.

Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law.

Article 9.

No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.

Article 10.

Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.

Article 11.

(1) Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defence.(2) No one shall be held guilty of any penal offence on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a penal offence, under national or international law, at the time when it was committed. Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time the penal offence was committed.

Article 12.

No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.

Article 13.

(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state.(2) Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.

Article 14.

(1) Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.(2) This right may not be invoked in the case of prosecutions genuinely arising from non-political crimes or from acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.

Article 15.

(1) Everyone has the right to a nationality.(2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality.

Article 16.

(1) Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution.(2) Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.(3) The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.

Article 17.

(1) Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others.(2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.

Article 18.

Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.

Article 19.

Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.

Article 20.

(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.(2) No one may be compelled to belong to an association.

Article 21.

(1) Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.(2) Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country.(3) The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.

Article 22.

Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality.

Article 23.

(1) Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.(2) Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.(3) Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection.

(4) Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.

Article 24.

Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay.

Article 25.

(1) Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.(2) Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.

Article 26.

(1) Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.(2) Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.(3) Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.

Article 27.

(1) Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.(2) Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.

Article 28.

Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized.

Article 29.

(1) Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible.(2) In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society.(3) These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.

Article 30.

Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein.

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