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

.

12 January 2010

Racist Australians: The Facts & Figures are Here !



Racist Australians: The Facts & Figures are Here !

Studies that was conducted by Professor Dunn of University of Western Sydney, and was highlighted by News 9 MSN, revealed that ‘Australians are racist’ in general. It was a survey done to gauge on the racist views of Australians in general, due to some up towards incidents that occurs during the late Howard administration and Kevin Rudd new regime. The study revealed some shocking survey facts ! (Well, not so shocking if you ask me, ask any non-whites in Australia, and conduct the survey fairly, you will see the results).

The result of the survey poll returned with a surprising 57% stating that Australians are racists in general, with 47% stating that Australians are not racists (Note: Taking into consideration that they are more whites in Australia than other races, but still, the facts are here!).

So much for the racist-free Kevin Rudd policy and the multi-cultural society living together, that the Kevin Rudd administration try to advocate, to Australians and the world.

The Australian government under Kevin Rudd need to buckle-up and do something real, for the continuous peace, social harmony and unity in Australia. Without which, FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) from overseas may dampen, professional migration from overseas might impede, and billions of dollars educational placements (in Australia universities and colleges) may be diverted to other less racist countries, such as , Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, Germany, Austria, Norway, Canada, and so forth.

Source: URLhttp://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=638470
(Accessed on 12th January 2010)


Quotes:

“Forty per cent of Australians believe some ethnic groups do not belong in the country with one in 10 having outwardly racist views, a new study shows.”

“It's too high, isn't it?" Prof Dunn said. "We've got to bring that down.”
(Prof Dunn, University of Western Sydney, 2008)

Source: URLhttp://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=638470
(Accessed on 12th January 2010)

Posted by at