Reported here http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/7/31/nation/18449747&sec=nation
is news that all ASEAN members agreed to the establishment of a
human rights body.
The smoke screen created said that None of the ministers wanted to
say how Myanmar, with its dismal human rights record, and the newer
Asean members agreed to the setting up of the human rights body, a
sensitive issue that had divided the group over the years,
effectively making Myanmar the black sheep with its poor human
rights record.
But I did mention smoke screen, as ALL ASEAN members are hardly
the humna-rights goody 2-shoes they claim to be.
According to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights
(http://www.unhchr.ch/html/menu6/2/fs2.htm),
Article 2, which sets out the basic principle of equality and non
discrimination as regards the enjoyment of human rights and
fundamental freedoms, forbids distinction of any kind, such as
race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion,
national or social origin, property, birth or other status.
Article 3, the first cornerstone of the Declaration, proclaims the
right to life, liberty and security of person -a right essential to
the enjoyment of all other rights. This article introduces articles
4 to 21, in which other civil and political rights are set out,
including: freedom from slavery and servitude; freedom from torture
and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment;
the right to recognition
everywhere as a person before the law; the right to an effective
judicial remedy; freedom from arbitrary arrest, detention or exile;
the right to a fair trial and public hearing by an independent and
impartial tribunal; the right to be presumed innocent until proved
guilty; freedom from arbitrary interference with privacy,
family, home or correspondence; freedom of movement and residence;
the right of asylum; the right to a nationality; the right to marry
and to found a family; the right to own property; freedom of thought, conscience and
religion; freedom of opinion and expression; the right to peaceful
assembly and association; and the right to take part in the
government of ones country and to equal access to public service
in ones country.
As you can see from the underlined, these basic rights are not
quite thriving in Singapore.
1. Religion - In Singapore, some globally established religions
such as Jehovahs Witnesses are still banned.
2. Political opinion - Sinagporeans seem to have the right to voice
political opinions, but those who propergate anti-establishment
opinions seem to face unusually harsh scrutiny from the
powers-that-be.
3. Article 3 (rights of an individual in a system of law) -
Singapore still use the Internal Security Act and the like to
detain its citizens and keep them out of a fair trial, sometimes
for years and on non-sepcified charges. Recent terrorism 'risks' in
S'pore now means that the Police do not need a warrnt to search any
person or premise/property (mere suspicion is enough) (http://blueheeler.wordpress.com/2006/11/09/the-safest-country-in-the-world-just-got-even-safer/)
If Singapore can bravely stand up and be counted when strict
adherence to human rights is concerened, then Myanmar should
nominate its Generals for the next Nobel Peace Prize.[/url]