We are in absolute and total agreement with the secretary-general of Amnesty International when she asserts that when the most powerful country in the world thumbs its nose at the rule of law and human rights, it grants a licence to others to commit abuse with impunity. So said Irene Khan.
Amnesty International is surely correct in its judgment and conclusion that the world stooped to a new level of brutality last year with increasingly shocking acts of terrorism and disregard for law between nations.
Amnesty also notes, “Nearly four years after the 11 September attacks, the promise to make the world a safer place remained “hollow”.
And moreover, “Terror groups reached a ghastly new low in the year which saw hundreds of children massacred at Beslan, the televised beheading of hostages in Iraq and the Madrid train bombings.
“But the organization reserved some of its fiercest criticism for the United States for what the group claimed was the superpower’s failure to observe international law, while setting a bad example for rogue governments across the globe.
When we read what Amnesty International was saying about the extent to which the rights of human beings were being so widely disrespected, we were reminded of the voice and words of one peacemaker, the Dalai Lama.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama is widely respected and holds a most esteemed place in the hearts and minds of all human beings who dream, think and work to build a safer world.
What follows are some of his thoughts concerning how human beings should relate to each other. The point is this: Human Beings have Rights
As he notes:
“No matter what country or continent we come from we are all basically the same human beings. We have the common human needs and concerns. We all seek happiness and try to avoid suffering regardless of our race, religion, sex or political status. Human beings, indeed all sentient beings, have the right to pursue happiness and live in peace and in freedom. As free human beings we can use our unique intelligence to try to understand our world and ourselves. But if we are prevented from using our creative potential, we are deprived of one of the basic characteristics of a human being. It is very often the most gifted, dedicated and creative members of our society who become victims of human rights abuses. Thus the political, social, cultural and economic developments of a society are obstructed by the violations of human rights. Therefore, the protection of these rights and freedoms are of immense importance both for the individuals affected and for the development of the society as a whole.
“The key to creating a better and more peaceful world is the development of love and compassion for others. This naturally means we must develop concern for our brothers and sisters who are less fortunate than we are. In this respect, the non-governmental organizations have a key role to play. You not only create awareness for the need to respect the rights of all human beings, but also give the victims of human rights violations hope for a better future.
“When I traveled to Europe for the first time in 1973, I talked about the increasing interdependence of the world and the need to develop a sense of universal responsibility. We need to think in global terms because the effects of one nation’s actions are felt far beyond its borders. The acceptance of universally binding standards of Human Rights as laid down in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in the International Covenants of Human Rights is essential in today’s shrinking world. Respect for fundamental human rights should not remain an ideal to be achieved but a requisite foundation for every human society.
“When we demand the rights and freedoms we so cherish we should also be aware of our responsibilities. If we accept that others have an equal right to peace and happiness as ourselves do we not have a responsibility to help those in need? Respect for fundamental human rights is as important to the people of Africa and Asia as it is to those in Europe or the Americas. All human beings, whatever their cultural or historical background, suffer when they are intimidated, imprisoned or tortured. The question of human rights is so fundamentally important that there should be no difference of views on this. We must therefore insist on a global consensus not only on the need to respect human rights world wide but more importantly on the definition of these rights.”
He is absolutely correct.
Today even as rights are being denied human beings world wide, we remain confident that a better day is coming. We are also quite confident that the United States of America will be in the vanguard of that great change.
Editorial from The Bahama Journal
