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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21 July 2016

Policemen must pass mandatory fitness test before confirmation, promotions !


https://sg.news.yahoo.com/policemen-must-pass-mandatory-fitness-111200610.html


Policemen must pass mandatory fitness test before confirmation, promotions

Hariz MohdJuly 21, 2016

KUALA LUMPUR: Beginning 2018, the Federal police will enforce a requirement for its officers to pass a fitness test before receiving confirmation and promotions.
This will see all police personnel having to undergo the Physical Ability Requirement Evaluation (PARE) test, which had also been adopted by the United Nations and several police forces in the world including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said the decision was made with the aim of ensuring all policemen reach a 'Trim and Fit' level.
Speaking to reporters after the closing ceremony of police's Trim and Fit 2016 programme at the Police Training College (Pulapol) here today, Khalid said the requirement should be taken by all police personnel as a motivation for them to reach and maintain an ideal Body Mass Index (BMI) as specified by the Health Ministry, and to stay fit.
"The reason why we do this is not to torture or deny anyone from their rights, but to make sure that our people maintain a healthy lifestyle.
"As members of a law enforcement agency, especially those on the frontlines, policemen must keep their fitness levels not only for themselves but also to increase the public's confidence in our ability to carry out duties and maintain the force's image," he said.
The Trim and Fit 2016 programme was a pilot project by Bukit Aman in cooperation with Universiti Teknologi Mara's Sports and Recreation Sciences Faculty, which involved 35 participants from different departments in the force.
During the six-month programme, 26 participants had successfully finished their challenges and lost weight between 1kg and 21kg, while nine others had to pull out due to job transfers and unavoidable circumstances.
Khalid said looking at its success, the federal police will implement the programme to involve all its personnel in the near future.
The IGP, who himself managed to lose 10 kilogrammes, said if he could do it, there is no excuse for other members of the force.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd

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