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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07 February 2017

Schools in Kedah at 'high risk' for drug-related cases



Source:
https://sg.news.yahoo.com/26-schools-kedah-high-risk-150953326.html


26 schools in Kedah at 'high risk' for drug-related cases, Nada to keep watch

MASRIWANIE MUHAMADING
New Straits Times

ALOR STAR: A total of 26 schools in Kedah will now be kept under the watchful eye of the National Anti Drug Agency (Nada) due to high potential of involvement in drug-related cases.
Its director-general Datuk Dr Abd Halim Mohd Hussin said the schools involved, located throughout the state, consist of 13 secondary and 13 primary schools.
"Nada will organise a pilot programme called, Anak Wawasan Negara, which will give focus to these 26 high risk schools.
"The programme, which is a prevention effort, will involve students from Year 1 up to Form Five," he told reporters at Wisma Darul Aman here today after attending a state-level Action Councils on Drug Eradication (MTMD) meeting.
Also present at the meeting were Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah as the MTMD chairman, state police chief Datuk Asri Yusoff and state Nada director Mohammad Nazer Mustafa.
Halim added that among the methods to be implimented under the programme include individual and group councelling and other treatment and recovery programmes for the affected students.
Nada will also be educating the teachers and staff of the schools as well as the parents through various courses and talks, he said.
It was reported that Kedah recorded the highest number of people under supervision in the country last year with a total of 6,442 people as compared to over 5,000 people in 2015.
The number of students identified as drug abusers also showed an increase; 118 students in 2009, 123 in 2010, 152 in 2012 and 205 in 2013.
It was also reported that while the number of students identified have slightly dropped to 344 in 2016 compared to 374 in 2015, the number of those taking methamphetamine have gone up to about 10 percent last year.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd

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