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 Â’smoke screenÂ’, 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 oneÂ’s country and to equal access to public service in oneÂ’s 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 JehovahÂ’s 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]