Saturday, July 19, 2008
3:53 PM
2) Do you think there are circumstances where human rights may be curtailed?
Human rights are basic freedoms that all people are entitled to enjoy. They include civil and political rights, such as freedom of speech, religion, and assembly; the right to fair and equal treatment under the law; and the right to vote. Economic and social rights, such as the right to work or obtain an education, also fall under the banner of human rights.
Whether human rights should be curtailed is a very subjective point of view. However, in my point of view, I believe that human rights may be curtailed depending on the circumstances.
Take for example the recent human rights allegations in IBA report on Singapore’s government. In its 72-page report released on 8th July, the London-based International Bar Association's (IBA) Human Rights Institute said Singapore has failed to meet international standards and expressed concerns about the independence of its judiciary. It says that Singapore courts had a good reputation when adjudicating commercial cases that did not involve members of the ruling People's Action Party (PAP), however 'there are concerns about an actual or apparent lack of impartiality and independence', when it came to cases involving 'the interests of PAP members or their associates'. However, in response to these allegations, the Singapore government said the association did not justify its 'grave allegation' of bias with evidence, and slammed its statement as 'a feeble justification'. In such political cases, human rights should be curtailed, and Singapore in this case should include ratifying the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, easing restrictions on the media and ensuring that its courts are free from government influence. In circumstances where discrimination exists, be it racial or gender discrimination, I feel that human rights in the form of freedom of speech should be curtailed too.
However, in cases such as social rights are involved, such as the basic human rights of prisoners in Kutaisi Prison in Georgia, human rights should not be curtailed and instead be promoted. Recent exploration of the conditions in the penitentiary system of Georgia exposed facts of torture, inhuman and degrading treatment of prisoners. Overcrowded cells, restricted medical treatment, bad food products and lack of an adequate water supply are problems when cell temperatures reach 35 to 40 degrees. From the above case, it seems that there is lack of human rights for prisoners. Evidently, the government seems to forget that every person has right on life and health regardless s/he is prisoner and condemned for even the gravest of crimes.
In conclusion, I feel that human rights may be curtailed depending on the circumstances, for e.g. in cases of civil, political or social rights.
Jessie :)
http://www.straitstimes.com/Latest%2BNews/Singapore/STIStory_256242.html?vgnmr=1http://www.humanrights.ge/index.php?a=article&id=2956&lang=en
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