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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06 August 2011

Ying Luck is Now the New Thai Prime Minister

Comment:

While the Thai military are busy fighting among themselves, and among the militants, and while the various political parties in Thailand are fighting among themselves, suddenly a mysterious figure walked passed them, and before they (i.e. the military, police, and politicians) even realized what is happening, the sister of the notorious ex-Thailand Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra (i.e. who is on charges of corruptions and abuse of power). It also happened that Thaksin is a a brother to Yingluck, who now officially BECOMES THE NEW PRIME MINISTER OF THAILAND !

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http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_699229.html
(Aug 6, 2011)
Thaksin's sister, Yingluck, is Thailand's first female PM


Ms Yingluck, whose political career began only 11 weeks ago, must wait for endorsement by King Bhumibol Adulyadej. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

BANGKOK - THAILAND'S parliament elected Yingluck Shinawatra as the country's first female Prime Minister on Friday after the political novice won the support of more than half of the lawmakers in a televised vote, according to Reuters calculations.

The 44-year-old businesswoman, who was unopposed, won the 251 votes required to follow in the footsteps of her brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, a billionaire overthrown in a 2006 coup and now living in self-imposed exile.

The voting continued in the 500-member parliament.

Ms Yingluck, whose political career began only 11 weeks ago, must wait for endorsement by King Bhumibol Adulyadej, which could come as early as Friday evening, before she officially takes up her post.

The former president of property firm SC Asset Corp steered the opposition Puea Thai Party to a landslide election victory on July 3, winning 265 of the seats in parliament. Puea Thai has formed a coalition with five other parties. Together they have 300 of the 500 seats. -- REUTERS

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Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yingluck_Shinawatra

Yingluck Shinawatra (Thai: ยิ่งลักษณ์ ชินวัตร, RTGS: Yinglak Chinnawat, Thai pronunciation: [jîŋ.lák tɕʰīn.nā.wát]; born 21 June 1967), or nickname Pu (Thai: ปู)[1], is a Thai businesswoman and politician, member of the Pheu Thai Party, and the 28th Prime Minister of Thailand following the 2011 general election. Yingluck is Thailand's first female Prime Minister.

Born in Chiang Mai province, Yingluck Shinawatra earned bachelor's degree from Chiang Mai University and master's degree from Kentucky State University, both in public administration. She became an executive in the businesses founded by her elder brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, and later became the president of property developer SC Asset and managing director of Advanced Info Service. Meanwhile, her brother Thaksin became Prime Minister, was overthrown in a military coup, and went into self-imposed exile after a tribunal convicted him of abuse of power.

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http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2011&dt=0809&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Terkini&pg=bt_02.htm

Yingluck diperkenan Raja Thailand sebagai PM

09/08/2011 11:09am

BANGKOK 9 Ogos – Raja Thailand, Raja Bhumibol Adulyadej memperkenan dan mengesahkan Yingluck Shinawatra sebagai Perdana Menteri wanita pertama Thailand, semalam.

Yingluck, 44 dipilih sebagai Perdana Menteri wanita pertama dalam satu undian wakil-wakil rakyat pada Jumaat lalu tetapi perlu mendapat perkenan Raja sebelum menjawat jawatan tersebut.

“Raja telah memberi perkenan kepada Yingluck untuk menjadi Perdana Menteri, “ kata Speaker Dewan, Somsak Kiatsuranont . – AFP






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