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

.

11 March 2011

British Girl Smarter Than Einstein ?!


Comment:

Hahahah... ITs not HOW much BRAIN you have, its HOW you USED it that counts ! HOW you used it to help others (other than yourself), to help the poor and needy, to help create an environmental friendly world, invent great tools and machines, and create great theories, that help solve, some of human problems, social science or pure science, or physical science problems.

Thats why, in high school exams, or college exams, or university exams, when the exams are over, and students receieved FIRST CLASS on their tests/exams, its ONLY them that are celebrating (not the whole state, or country, or world)... because the 'excellent results' are just for them (full stop)... unless of course, they decide to use their 'brains' to help others, and do marvellous things with it... I hope this is CLEAR for the readers.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/world/8991482/british-girl-smarter-than-einstein/
(11th March 2011)

British girl 'smarter than Einstein'
The West Australian, March 11, 2011, 6:54 am

It's the battle of the IQs and a youngster from Britain has come out on top. At the age of just 11, Victoria Cowie has a higher IQ than Einstein. The young girl from Wolverhampton has an IQ of 162 - and has been offered scholarships at four secondary schools, Britain's Daily Mail newspaper has reported.
Albert Einstein had an IQ of 160 - the same as scientist Stephen Hawking and Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates.

Victoria's mother Alison, 44, told the Daily Mail: "We couldn't believe it, but are so proud of her.
"Victoria is a very bright girl and she has worked very hard, but she isn't glued to her studies, she loves drama and music and plays football too.

"We are just a normal family, we haven't cracked the whip. When it comes down to it she's still a child and we have always said she only does what she wants to do." Victoria has now joined the ranks of Britain's brightest people after passing a Mensa test in January.

Mrs Cowie, who runs a health and safety consultancy with husband David, 42, said: "She did the test a few weeks back and the results put her in the top one per cent. "We had a look online and saw that 162 was higher than Albert Einstein's score, we felt incredibly proud." Victoria has set her sights on becoming a vet.


.
Posted by at