'What Freedom Do We Seek'

How important is a person’s right to life, liberty and nationality? Does anyone have the right to curtail your freedom of thought, conscience and religion, to work, to be educated, and to take part in government? These issues are the focus of discussions and themes of programs at the United Nations, Office of the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights, local and international human rights organizations around the world in commemoration of International Human Rights Day which falls on December 10.

Simply said, the day, December 10, marks the global commemoration of International Human Rights day. It also marks the beginning of the observance of the 56th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948. Liberia was one of the 48 countries that adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The declaration often called, A Magna Carta for all humanity, outlines the human rights standards the United Nations believes should be enforced by all nations. On that day in 1948, the global human rights community categorized “atrocities” as “violations” that should not be condoned but readily acted against.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, consists of wide range of rights, has stirred more that 60 human rights instruments, all of which form the international standards of human rights.

The Declaration recognizes the "inherent dignity of all members of the human family as the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world" and is associated to the recognition of fundamental rights towards which every human being seeks: the right to life, liberty and security of person; the right to an adequate standard of living; the right to freedom of opinion and expression; the right to education, freedom of thought, conscience and religion; and the right to freedom from torture and degrading treatment, among others. These are inherent rights to be enjoyed by all human beings in all parts of the world including -- men, women and children, all groups- ethic, religious, illiterate, minority groups in society. These rights are entitlements and not “gifts” to be enjoyed at the discretion or whims and caprices of anyone.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights which came into being just about three years following the founding of the United Nations accentuates the importance of human rights in promoting world peace. Unfortunately, after 56 years following the declaration of this revered document, its application remains far-fetched. The application of the document remains illusive because most governments continue to flout the laws and infringe on the rights of citizens. The breach of the laws by government is not a result of ignorance but simply because most government officials around the world find it very gratifying to terrorize and create havoc against their own people. Today, millions of people live in fear because their rights are being violated with impunity. The reckless disregard for human rights is most prominent in Africa; a continent marked by poverty, underdevelopment, high illiteracy rate, conflicts and almost all factors that hinder development of society and advancement of people.

Although Human Rights Day is observed by almost all states that adopted the human rights instruments, governments that deliberately and systematically contravene the international instruments also observe the day as a sort of propaganda strategy to continue to “white wash” their image to the outside world while at the same time unleash terror on their people.

Turkey one of the signatories of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international instruments has consistently observed International Human Rights Day. This year, 2005, Turkey like Liberia, India, Colombia, Pakistan and other countries around the world have outlined several programs as parts of the global commemoration of Human Right Day. In contrast to eloquent speeches and fanfare activities marking Human Rights Day, fundamental freedoms and human rights, particularly freedom of expression, women’s rights, religious freedoms, trade union rights, and cultural rights are violated by the Turkish government. There are also reports claiming Turkey has a zero tolerance policy against torture and ill-treatment.

The recent prosecutions of journalists Hrant Dink and Burak Bekdil, novelist Orhan Pamuk, Professors Oran and Kaboglu and publishers Fatih Tas and Razip Zarakolu are just a few of the contravention of the international conventions by the Turkish government. Several individuals are held, sometimes prosecuted and, in some cases, convicted, for expressing non-violent opinions in Turkey.

As for the Indian government, its delegation to the Office of United Nation Human Rights Commission recently vowed to uphold the declaration. In its own word, the delegation addressed the head of the Office of the United Nations Human Rights Commission, “ Mr. President, I offer on behalf of the Government and the people of India our deepest allegiance to the cause of human rights everywhere.”

Contrary to that government’s pledge, in India, torture and ill-treatment are considered common. Derechos Human Rights in its recent reports on India says, “Every year thousands of people are imprisoned for political reasons, often without charges of trials.” The report furthered that torture and ill-treatment are common, and hundreds have died in custody, adding, hundreds more are victims of extra-judicial executions or forced disappearances. The human rights group said that armed groups in India commit grave human rights violations, including killings, tortures and rapes, with impunity.

Another country that has gained prominence at the United Nations is Liberia. Liberia was a founding member of the United Nations as well as a founding member of the African Union, formerly the Organization of African Unity. Liberia is a signatory to the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights and has also been among the first state to sign most of the 60 international instruments of human rights. Over the years, successive Liberia governments have celebrated International Human Rights Day with pomp, pageantry and brilliant speeches pledging to uphold the principles of human rights.

In spite its radiant international record; Liberia has a grim and in-depth human rights record that has affected every facet of that society and its people. While President William V. S. Tubman of Liberia strongly championed the independence of Africa States abroad, dissenting views were stifled at home. Tubman breached almost every clause in the declaration and the Liberian constitution. He changed the constitution to allow himself to remain in office. President Tubman gagged the press and introduced a system of government spies to report on political activity. Tubman ruled Liberia from 1944 until his death in 1971.

Successive Liberians governments also practiced the culture of impunity and infringements on the rights of citizens. Perpetrators of abuses roam about freely and sometimes they are appeased. Impunity has therefore become an acceptable norm in Liberia. The practice of impunity and gross human rights violations is what led to the decades of war that resulted in the death of over 250,000 persons and an estimated one million refugees and internally displaced persons.

The Transitional government under the administration of Gyude Bryant is accused of blatant and widespread corruption with complete disregard for public outcries. Within the short period of his administration, Gyude Bryant administration has become famous for opened corruption and illegal possession of government properties.

Amnesty International and other human rights groups reported in 2004 of thousands cases of rape without any report of persecution. The report has been published, followed by alerts calling on the Bryant’s government to investigate. The Bryant’s administration has not initiated any investigation into the report of widespread rape. In 2004, Kofi Annan condemned rape. Annan said, “I deplore the fact that sexual and gender-based violence continue to be used as a weapon of war in African conflicts. Every effort must be made to halt this odious practice, and bring the perpetrators to justice." In spite the Secretary General’s statement, the Liberian government continues to remain silent although rape is considered a crime against humanity and a war crime.

This act of silence on crimes against humanity calls for reflection on the statement of an avid supporter of free speech, Judge Learned Hands. Hands, a famed American Judge in a statement on May 21, 1944, four years before the birth of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights said, “A society in which men recognize no check upon their freedom, soon becomes a society where freedom is the possession of only a savage few.”
As Liberia finally prepares for the inauguration of a newly elected government following almost two decades of conflict characterized by gross violations of human rights, Liberians should think about Judge Hands statements and ask themselves: “What freedom do we seek?” Do Liberians seek the freedom enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that seeks to promote global peace or a freedom where according to Franklin D. Roosevelt, “The so-called "new order" of tyranny which the dictators seek to create with the crash of a bomb.”

In order to rid the Liberian society of the practices of “special privilege for the few” and ensure that the Universal Declaration is applied, Liberians must speak out against violence. Liberians must also call for those who have committed human rights abuses to be brought to justice, including pledging to surrender former President Charles Taylor currently in exile in Nigeria to the Special Court for Sierra Leone, where he faces a 17-count indictment for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Liberians in every parts of the world and in spite their background and social status within society must take every opportunity to speak out against ethnic discrimination and inter-communal violence. Lastly but not the least, Liberians should call for the strengthening of the independence, impartiality and funding of the Independent National Commission on Human Rights, so that it can vigorously pursue human rights concerns and promote human rights education throughout the country. It is only by speaking out and calling for justice that sustainable and lasting peace can be achieved in Liberia.

While calling for justice and peace and speaking against ills, Liberians should be inspired by Clarence Darrow who was a defender of the poor and down trodden: “You can only protect your liberties in this world by protecting the other man's freedom. You can only be free if I am free.”

Liberia and Liberians can enjoy freedom, the freedom they have long wanted, the freedom their forefathers have fought for; the freedom that provides jobs for those who can work; the freedom that guarantees respect for civil liberties, freedom from fear, equal opportunity for youth and for everyone and all other freedoms in this new chapter of that country’s history by advocating that those responsible for crimes under international law to be held criminally responsible, truth established and victims obtain full reparations.

In order to have peace and justice, Liberians must remember that they are the voice of those who have been killed and also the voice of the voiceless including: R. Vanjah Richards, Dr. Stephen Yekeson, Wuo Tarpiah, Nowai Flomo, Samuel Dokie and his family, Mai Myers, Manna Zakay, Aloysious Kiah, two Nigerian Journalists Kris Imodibie and Tayo Awotusin who were killed in Liberia, the hundreds of persons who were killed during the September 11, 1998 and April 6, 1996 anarchies, those falsely incarcerated, those who have been raped and tortured, those who have been affected by violations, persons whose land and proprieties have been illegally taken. At the same time while reflecting on the victims, Liberians should also visualize the pains and agonies the perpetrators who are roaming freely have inflicted on their victims.

In commemoration of International Human Rights Day, Liberians and citizens of the world ought to reflect on peace and realized that peace is the fruit of justice, it is that moral virtue and legal accord which ensures full respect for rights and responsibilities, and the just distribution of benefits and burdens. Given the scale and nature of human rights abuses in Liberia, justice and forgiveness are both essential to healing, peace building and rebuilding process of that country. Let peace and justice prevail and let it begin with each person.

Copyright © Musue N. Haddad