FREEDOM OF SPEECH / FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION


FREEDOM OF SPEECH / FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

Freedom of speech is the freedom to speak without censorship and/or limitation. The synonymous term freedom of expression is sometimes used to indicate not only freedom of verbal speech but any act of seeking, receiving and imparting information or ideas, regardless of the medium used [United Nations, 1966, 1976]. The right to freedom of speech is recognized as a human right under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and recognized in international human rights law in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The ICCPR recognizes the right to freedom of speech as "the right to hold opinions without interference. Everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression". Furthermore freedom of speech is recognized in European, inter-American and African regional human rights law [United Nations, 1966, 1967]. Freedom of speech, or the freedom of expression, is recognized in international and regional human rights law. The right is enshrined in Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, Article 13 of the American Convention on Human Rights and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights [Andrew Puddephatt & Hodder Arnold, 2005; Kumar, Ambika, 2006].

In Islamic ethics freedom of speech was first declared in the Rashidun period by the caliph Umar in the 7th century. In the Abbasid Caliphate period, freedom of speech was also declared by al-Hashimi (a cousin of Caliph al-Ma'mun) in a letter to one of the religious opponents he was attempting to convert through reason.

According to George Makdisi and Hugh Goddard, "the idea of academic freedom" in universities was "modelled on Islamic custom" as practiced in the medieval Madrasah system from the 9th century. Islamic influence was "certainly discernible in the foundation of the first deliberately-planned university" in Europe [Boisard, Marcel A., 1980].

* Selected REFERENCES / Sources:

Amnesty International: Annual Reports: URLhttp://www.amnesty.org/ailib/aireport/index.html Andrew Puddephatt & Hodder Arnold. (2005). Freedom of Expression: The Essentials of Human Rights. United Publishers. Boisard, Marcel A. (July 1980), "On the Probable Influence of Islam on Western Public and International Law", International Journal of Middle East Studies 11 (4): 429–50. Goddard, Hugh. (2000). A History of Christian-Muslim Relations. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press. Kumar, Ambika. (2006). ‘Using Courts to Enforce the Free Speech Provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.’ Published by Chicago Journal of International Law. Summer 2006. URLhttp://www.allbusiness.com/corporate-governance/4082846-1.html United Nations: ‘International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.’ Adopted and opened for signature, ratification and accession by General Assembly resolution 2200A (XXI) of 16th December 1966: Entry into force 23 March 1976, in accordance with Article 49. URLhttp://www2.ohchr.org/english/law/ccpr.htm (United Nations) Wikipedia. (2010). ‘Freedom of Speech.’ Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. URLhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_expression

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03 June 2009

Child Abuse and Child Love

Comments:

Below WE have TWO extreme cases, one case was where the parents become so wacky (mad, crazy) that they starved their child (a 7 year-old girl) to death. I do not know the real (or rational) reason behind that, but there are sure some crazy people who just simply care less of their child welfare and well-being, not enough of these may be less acceptable - But to abuse, and subsequently 'murder' one's child is definitely a crime - whether by definition of law or religious value! Child abuse is part and parcel of their life, and nothing seems to be extremely wrong with it. Blaming one's bad background and bad environment upbringing as attributed to one's abusive actions is definitely not an excuse (in the eyes of the laws or religious laws!).

Source:
URLhttp://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/mp/5622463/childs-head-was-skull-wrapped-in-skin/ (3rd June 2009)

On the other hand, WE have cases of parents who extremely love their son/daughter more than gold and/or more than diamond. Loving one’s child is definitely not a crime, BUT loving so much, to the extends of spoiling one’s own child, so much so that every wish of the child is fulfilled, and even to commit suicide IF one’s child suddenly dies – Thus, according to religious teaching, is a ‘moral decay’ and/or a moral crime (and religious crime).

Source:
URLhttp://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/world/5622017/couple-jump-off-uk-cliff-with-dead-child/ (3rd June 2009)
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