LI-News Special Edition - Human Rights Day 2009

 

World Liberal Leaders Commemorate Human Rights Day

On the occasion of Human Rights Day 2009, liberal leaders worldwide share their comments on this auspicious and important day.  They include, LI President Hans van Baalen, Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen (Finland), Deputy Prime Minister of Sweden Maud Oloffsson, Deputy Prime Minister of Beligum Didier Reynders, ALDE leader Guy Verhofstadt, Mark Rutte (VVD-Netherlands), Ahmed Dogan (MRF-Bulgaria), Tsai Ing-Wen (DPP-Taiwan), Sam Rainsy (Cambodia), Chee Soon Juan (SDP-Singapore), Martin Lee (Hong Kong), U Bo Thaung (NLDLA-Burma), Kamal Nissanka (LP-Sri Lanka), Nick Clegg (LibDems - UK), Alexander Pechtold (D66-Netherlands), Lamija Tanovic (LDP-Bosnia-Herzegovina), Koh Tsu Koon (Gerakan-Malaysia), Sergei Mitrokhin (Yabloko-Russia)

 

We should not avoid difficult choices! Human Rights are a core value to liberals worldwide. Together with the free market economy, they form the two pillars of liberalism. As outlined in the “Ottawa Human Rights Appeal” in 1987, Human Rights are “the fundamental Necessity for Mankind and an essential precondition for progress and stability.” We as liberals must stand ready to defend, protect, and promote the supremacy of freedoms and human rights in every corner of the world. Intrinsically, liberals espouse values through which the whole world can benefit. We must fight for a just and fair society without discrimination on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, religious belief, social or national origin, or political opinion.  We must recognize that to be vocal is only one factor in the promotion of human rights and the defense of the oppressed. We must act and create tangible results. Therefore as Liberal International - member parties, organisations and individual politicians have to make choices which are extremely difficult but cannot and should not be avoided. In some situations we can only promote awareness. In other situations we have the power, the means and the people to really change circumstances for the better. Our energy and resources should go towards making a difference. Liberal International recently did so during its Central America mission. If we concentrate on everything, we concentrate on nothing. While this day serves as a timely reminder of the importance of these values, we should continue to champion our core beliefs every day reminding ourselves that there are yet many challenges to face. The promotion of human rights should be embraced everyday, everywhere, by everyone.

- Hans van Baalen MEP President of Liberal International

 

“Respect for human rights is the foundation of democracy, rule of law, peace and prosperity. Human rights violations and infringement of fundamental freedoms are still taking place in many parts of the world. Protecting and promoting human rights is now more important than ever. There are many who seek to take advantage of the economic crisis and climate change as excuses to neglect human rights. We shall be the guardians of human rights also when tackling these global challenges.”

 - Matti Vanhanen, Prime Minister of Finland,  President of the Centre Party of Finland

 

'The equal rights and value of all people must be the starting point of everything we do, of all decisions made that affect the lives of people. Every Human being is a treasure, diversity needs to be promoted. My vision is creating a society where humans grow as persons and where one is able to fulfil her/his dreams, a society where your background, gender, sexual orientation, colour, religion or language don't matter. A society where you matter.  Human rights and freedoms have no boundaries, not cultural, national, or geographical. Today, in different corners of the world, the greatest lack is freedom. Freedom of the individual and individual freedom must always be safeguarded.  We see viewpoints that do not consider all human beings equally gaining ground in Sweden, in Europe and all over the world. These views do not represent a society I believe in or want to live in. These views and opinions must be fought by the means of an open and tolerant society. In a world where all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights, it is of outmost importance to safeguard the individual and individual freedoms. It is our task, as liberals, to fight for every person's right to live in a free, tolerant world, where human rights are respected and honoured.

- Maud Olofsson Deputy Prime Minister of Sweden and Leader of the Centre Party  

 

'La défense et la promotion des droits de l'homme ont été et restent une des pierres angulaires du « crédo libéral » dans le monde et, en particulier, de l'action de l'Internationale Libérale. Dans trop de pays encore des minorités, des femmes, des enfants, sont discriminés et ne jouissent toujours pas des droits auxquels tout être humain peut prétendre. Si de grands progrès ont été accomplis dans nos sociétés occidentales, ce n'est malheureusement pas le cas partout… D'où l'actualité constante du combat des libéraux pour faire reconnaître les droits de l'homme sur tous les continents, sans distinction de race, de genre ou de religion. Un combat qui ne sera gagné que lorsque l'obscurantisme,  les fanatismes de tout ordre et l'analphabétisme seront définitivement vaincus. La marche risque malheureusement d'être encore longue mais les libéraux, actifs dans le monde entier, peuvent compter sur l'appui et l'engagement des libéraux belges.'

- Didier Reynders, Deputy Prime Minister of Belgium and President of the Mouvement Réformateur

 

'International Human Rights Day should be a stark reminder for what are the major challenges of our times. All over the world, millions of people still live in regimes where there is no independent judiciary, democratic system or freedom of expression and where torture, racism, capital punishment, slavery, forced labour, crimes against humanity, genocide and ethnic cleansing, still tragically occur on a daily basis. Promoting human rights throughout the world is part of our liberal identity. It is as well a top priority for the Alliance of European Liberals and Democrats for Europe Group in the European Parliament. In the coming years we expect the European Commission to commit itself strongly to human rights, fundamental freedoms and civil liberties. The creation of the portfolio for Justice and Fundamental Rights, which we requested, is a step in the right direction. For the ALDE Group human rights go beyond borders of our Union or the European Continent. Human rights do not apply solely to citizens in Europe. In this regard we expect that newly appointed High Representative Catherine Ashton will be guided by the principles of fundamental rights enshrined in the Lisbon Treaty.  It is our task therefore on this day to remind all responsible actors of their obligations and hold them accountable. It is by united effort that Human Rights can become universal in its spirit and application.

- Guy Verhofstadt MEP, President of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) 

 

“In this day and age human rights are often perceived to be relative, restricted by factors such as region, regime and religion. But they are not. Human rights are inalienable and universal. And so our commitment to their promotion should be unwavering and their application universal.”

- Mark Rutte Leader of VVD, the Netherlands

 

 'Considering the fact that human rights are universal and unconditional they do not depend on the desires or maturity of civil society, nor on the competence and the will of the state. Hence the modern world has set up as a benchmark for the value of the life of every human being on the planet as intrinsic.'

 - Dr Ahmed Dogan Chairman of Movement for Rights and Freedoms, Bulgaria

 

 “As the world celebrates the 61st anniversary of Human Rights Day, Taiwan also commemorates the 30th anniversary of the Meilidao Incident, which is memorable in remembering Taiwan's own struggles with human rights. Throughout these years, the DPP has attempted to make amendments to laws improving domestic human rights such as state compensation to former victims, statutes promoting international human rights codes into the domestic law and implementing people's political rights and right to existence through various legislation. We must highly treasure the value of integration with the international human rights efforts, especially now when we are confronting the majority rule of the KMT government.”

 - Dr Ing-Wen Tsai, Chairwoman of the Democratic Progressive Party, Taiwan

 

“In his address to the UN Human Rights Council on 26 September 2009, the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for human rights in Cambodia said that the government had used prosecutors and judges, while pretending to uphold their independence, to intimidate or punish critics. He stated that the government had applied the law selectively and that its supporters had enjoyed immunities from the civil and criminal process for blatant breaches of the law. I call on the international community to question the political commitment of the Cambodian government led by Mr. Hun Sen to the rule of law and to judicial reforms. I call on the donor community to condemn Cambodia's National Assembly for lacking the political will to protect the rights of all Members of Parliament and for failing to defend the independence of this institution whose primary role is to serve the people it represents and to uphold the most fundamental principles of human rights and democracy.”

 - Sam Rainsy Leader of the Sam Rainsy Party, Cambodia and LI Prize for Freedom Laureate in 2006

 

If ever there was any doubt about the importance of transparency and accountability in today's world, the financial meltdown in 2008 emphatically removed it. These virtues are embodied in the concept of human rights and practiced in the system of democracy. Put another way, human rights and the way we generate wealth are inseparable.  When those in economic and political power are not held accountable and what they do are done behind closed doors, the result is often an increase in poverty. The unconscionable income gap between the world's richest and poorest exists because governments have sacrificed human rights at the altar of trade and commerce. Have we all such short memories and not learnt the lesson of Indonesia under Suharto? Many ignored the human rights abuses of Suharto because there were deals to be made and profits to be earned. But the lack of respect for human rights under the Indonesian dictator meant that there was little accountability and transparency. When economic push came to political shove, Indonesia's economic and political system fell apart. Hundreds were killed in the aftermath. As we commemorate this Human Rights Day, let us all pledge to ensure that while we continue to push for expanded commerce and trade, human rights and democracy are at the core of the decisions that we make.  

- Dr Chee Soon Juan Leader of the Singapore Democratic Party 

 

“It is often said by our Asian tyrants that leaders from democratic countries should not try to impose their own standards of human rights on Asian countries because of our different history and culture, and that they should respect our Asian values. But if an American, a European, an African and an Asian are put into prison, they all yearn to be free.  If their arms are broken, they feel the same excruciating pain.  If they are shot in their head, they all die. So don't listen to those tyrants.  For like everyone else, we Asians treasure our human rights.”

- Dr Martin C.M. Lee Founding Chairman of the Democratic Party, Hong Kong

 

“Liberal Party of Sri Lanka upholds human rights. Though Sri Lankan constitution has a fundamental rights chapter, the Liberal Party is not satisfied with human rights record of Sri Lanka since 1978. However after the defeat of Separatists any government has to pay much attention to uphold human rights and human dignity. Reconciliation among nationalities and poverty alleviation are two components that would promote human rights.”

- Kamal Nissanka Leader of the Liberal Party of Sri Lanka

 

It is said that each and every article in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights has been violated by military authorities in Burma over the past 50 years. Military authorities in Burma systematically deny basic rights and freedoms of Burmese citizens, including freedom of expression, association, and assembly. Burmese authorities named themselves as 'State Peace and Development Council' still detain or imprison more than 2,000 political prisoners including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, General Secretary of the National League for Democracy, who has been seeking national reconciliation using peaceful means. They have also violated the rights of ethnic nationalities especially living in eastern part of Burma by continuing extrajudicial killings, forced labor, land confiscation without due process and other violation such as sexual violence against women in the conflict areas. In the article 21 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, it describes that everyone has the right to take part in the government of their country, directly or through freely chosen representatives. However, Burmese citizens are deprived of the right of any representation in the previous process of 'National Convention' or 'Constitution drafting'. In the previous 'sham' referendum, they used threats, coercion, misinformation, deception, and violence to sway or force voters to approve the draft constitution to get the result of 92.4 % approval.

- U Bo Thaung Chair of Central Committee, National League for Democracy (Liberated Area), Burma

 

“Human rights are not something you pick up one day and put down the next.  They are the unwavering, unshakeable commitment to the dignity of people and they are the principles by which we can call ourselves civilised.  In the aftermath of the horrors of World War II, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights set out the worth of every human being and pledged governments to uphold that worth in future.  Every one of us should remember those principles and protect them, and I'm therefore delighted to commemorate International Human Rights Day.”

 - Nick Clegg Leader of the Liberal Democrats, UK

 

 “The celebration of Human Rights Day is an event of enormous significance. I fully support the commemoration of the United Nations General Assembly's adoption and proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Human Rights is a key issue for everyone on this planet, and the Universal Declaration is a key text. It is indeed, as has been stated by the General Assembly, ‘a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations.'”

- Alexander Pechtold Leader of D66, the Netherlands

 

'Despite the fact that it is a member of the Council of Europe and has ratified the European Convention on Human Rights, my country — Bosnia and Herzegovina — still does not fully respect human rights. They are ignored even by the highest legal act of our country — its Constitution. Truth be told, that Constitution was neither created nor adopted by its citizens. It was imposed as a part of the Dayton Peace Agreement, drafted by the EU and the US, along with our two neighbouring countries, Serbia and Croatia, 14 years ago. Namely, according to this so-called Dayton Constitution, not all citizens of BiH have equal human rights.  Some of them do not have some basic human rights at all. Their ability to elect and be elected to various official functions in the country depends on their ethnicity and place of residence. Such severe violations of basic human rights are unheard of in the developed world, and it is particularly unusual that a document with such oversights was created by representatives of the leading world democracies. The present Constitution is to blame, among other things, for pupils being segregated in BiH schools. The “two schools under one roof” alarmingly widespread here is a phenomenon unique to BiH. This is precisely why those who created and imposed this Constitution on BiH must urgently work on changing it in line with the European Convention on Human Rights and UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights that was signed on 10th December 61 years ago. The Liberal Democratic Party of BiH is strongly committed to harmonising the BiH Constitution with the European Convention on Human Rights and expects the support of all other liberal parties in the world in its endeavours to make this happen.

- Lamija Tanovic President of Liberal Democratic Party of Bosnia-Herzegovina

 

 “The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, drafted in the aftermath of the horrors and atrocities of the Second World War, remains a poignant reminder of the need to foster and preserve peace and harmony whilst fully respecting and cherishing the diversity of our world. Everyone should be conscious of their obligations under the declaration. The proclamation talks of a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, and that all individuals and all organs of society should through teaching and education, work towards promoting greater respect for the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Declaration. It was important for us to be constantly aware of need to effectively promote the values of human rights whilst respecting and appreciating one another.”

 - Dr Koh Tsu Koon National President of Gerakan Malaysia and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department in charge of National Unity and Performance Management

 

'The situation with human rights have rapidly aggravated in Russia throughout 2009. This year there has seen more murders of human rights activists and lawyers: Natalya Estemirova was murdered in the Caucasus and in Stanislav Markelov and Anastasiya Baburova in Moscow. Violence and threats from unknown persons against activists of non-profit organizations and trade unions turned into a routine method of silencing people. Governments do not give their permission to conduct public protest actions; while unsanctioned protest actions are scattered. Universities in some of Russia's regions make lists of “politically unreliable students” where they include all politically active students. This affected YABLOKO: our young activists from Penza were accused of extremism and searches were conducted in their homes, while another activist - a student — was expelled from the Omsk University. Two people from YABLOKO's governing bodies (Vasily Popov from Karelia and Ivan Bolshakov from Moscow) were sentenced and put on probation on fabricated cases, and one person (Anatoly Nechayev, Ulyanovsk) has been still imprisoned also on a fabricated case.

- Sergei Mitrokhin, leader of the YABLOKO party, Russia

 

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Human Rights News from around the world...

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LI President: Belarus is the black hole of Europe

Liberal International President Hans van Baalen has written the foreword to the Dutch translation of the novel “Firing Squad”, by the Belarussian author Aleh Alkaeu. The book, about the abduction of politicians in Belarus, is dedicated to the people kidnapped under President Alyaksandr Lukaschenka's rule. Meanwhile, the human rights situation in Belarus continues to be dire. Last week, three Belarusian opposition activists have been jailed for holding a protest against the regime. The activists -- members of the Young Belarus opposition group -- were charged with participating in an unsanctioned rally and given sentences of between seven and 15 days in jail. Van Baalen commented on the situation in Belarus: “It is the last dictatorship of Europe, and it is based on fraud, corruption, intrigues, repression, torture and killings. European states should make conclusions and take their positions; they should help opposition forces in Belarus and the exiled opposition living abroad. They have to explain to Putin and Medvedev that Lukashenka not only enslaves his citizens, but also damages Russian interests. If Putin wanted it, Lukashenka would be gone in 24 hours”.

 

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Anti-homosexuality bill in Uganda sparks concerns and condemnation

A proposed law that criminalises homosexuality has been allowed to proceed in the Ugandan parliament. The law proposes life imprisonment for anyone convicted of homosexuality, as well as up to a seven year jail term for anyone who defends the rights of homosexuals, and even the death penalty if the convicted person is HIV positive. Members of the public are obliged to report any homosexual activity to the authorities otherwise they could face three years in jail under the proposed law. This issue has been taken extremely seriously be human rights organisations around the world, including Human Rights Watch. Boris Dittrich, Advocacy Director of the LGBT Programme at Human Rights Watch reitterated their position: “We call upon the Uganda government to come to its senses and reject proposed law. It dehumanizes lesbian and gay people and targets them with long prison sentences and even the death penalty in certain situations. It is time for Uganda to realize that human rights are for all human beings, including lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgendered people. This proposed law contradicts international human rights treaties, most of which Uganda is a signatory to.” Mr Dittrich presented a report at the recent LI Congress in Cairo on the resolution on the prohibition of persecutions and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation which was adopted at the LI Belfast Congress.

 

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Land grabbing continues to be a serious problem in Cambodia

In Cambodia, tens of thousands of families have been evicted from their homes and lands. Heavy measures, such as beatings even killings, are taken by armed police for forced evictions. The land issue dates back to the Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s when private land ownership was abolished and land documentation destroyed. Private ownership returned with land laws passed in 1992 and 2001. However the authorities failed to ensure a strict and effectively legislative framework on land rights and resettlements. Most victims of land grabbing poor people who cannot obtain legal papers to the lands on which they live and usually such properties are for “development projects” in which government officials and foreign companies profit. Opposition leader Sam Rainsy commented: “In the case of Cambodia in 2009, the innocent victims are those thousands of farmers left landless, streaming into the city to raise their voice in anger. The response of their supposed representatives is to give them a few coins to get on the bus and take their 'whining' somewhere else. This state of affairs is shameful, and responsibility rests squarely on the shoulders of the government officials at the helm of the Kingdom of Cambodia.”

 

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International community concerns the detention of Chinese democracy activists

Rights groups have called on the international community to increase pressures on the Chinese government for the immediate release of prominent democracy activist Liu Xiaobo, who was detained on 8 December 2008, for taking part in the drafting and initiation of Charter '08, the petition calling for greater political freedoms and human rights reforms in China. A year into detention without indictment, human rights groups including Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and leaders and advocates from around the world have called on the Chinese authorities for an immediate end to politically motivated arbitrary detentions. The appeal was echoed by Liberal International in its 56th Congress in Cairo where the World Today resolution was unanimously adopted regarding the situation in China: “LI condemns the arrest and disappearance of more than fifty human rights lawyers including renowned lawyers. LI believes that a fair and just judicial process is a vital element to immediately release these lawyers and refrain from harassing and suppressing them as they seek to defend the rights and interests of China's disadvantaged groups through a fair and just judicial process free of political interference.”

 

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YABLOKO continues to fight election results

In Russia, LI Full Member YABLOKO continues its battle against alleged widespread fraud during last month's local elections. The Russian liberal party has filed a suit for cancellation of the results of the voting at two electoral districts in the Moscow area. According to official data ruling party United Russia obtained 1,002 votes more in those districts, than indicated in the protocols given to the observers. At a recent bureau meeting of YABLOKO, party leader Sergei Mitrokhin, commented on the flawed outcome of the recent elections and the consequences for democracy in Russia: “It has become clear after voting on October 11 that elections as a legitimate institution which could be trusted by society has been completely ruined in Russia. This means that the democratic project of the country's development initiated in the late 1980s has been completely closed now — and not only by the ruling elite, but by society as well.”

 

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