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RELIGIOUS PERSPECTIVES ON HUMAN RIGHTS

E-Newsletter
Vol.3 No.44
October 29, 2001


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Religious Perspectives on Human Rights is now available online at: http://www.rghr.net

Religious Perspectives on Human Rights is a weekly e-newsletter issued by Buddhist, Muslim, Catholic and Christian Groups on Human Rights, initiated by the Asian Human Rights Commission.

1) IT IS EASIER TO MAKE THIS PLANET A HAPPY PLACE TO LIVE THAN TO
FLEE TO ANOTHER PLANET TO ESCAPE DEADLY VIRUSES - Basil Fernando
2) SRI LANKA'S THREE MOST VENERATED BUDDHIST RELIGIOUS LEADERS HAVE
OPPOSED ANY POLITICAL NEGOTIATION WITH THE LTTE ....
3) URGENT CALL FROM PAKISTAN CHURCHES FOR PEACE, NOT WAR
4) RIGHTS ABUSES IN SWEATSHOPS
5) CLASHES BETWEEN MUSLIMS, BUDDHISTS in Burma
6) The protection of minorities: Bangladesh
7) NEWS IN BRIEF
8) AHRC NEWS

1) IT IS EASIER TO MAKE THIS PLANET A HAPPY PLACE TO LIVE THAN TO FLEE TO ANOTHER PLANET TO ESCAPE DEADLY VIRUSES

by Basil Fernando, Asian Human Rights Commission

A British biologist has stated that the chances of humankind surviving this millennium are very doubtful since a deadly virus that may be created in some biological laboratory may kill the whole human race, for it is not possible to supervise or control all laboratories, he says. He suggests that the future of humankind lies in the possibility of being able to inhabit other planets.

This prediction has received worldwide publicity, not because it is a new idea, but because it has come at a time when biological warfare has become a common topic following the Sept. 11 catastrophe in America and the ensuing spread of the anthrax scare in which a few cases of anthrax have received colossal publicity due to the psychological climate presently consuming the United States and the West following Sept. 11.

However, in the process, what is being done is to separate what viruses and bacteria may do to humanity from what humanity is capable of doing for itself by pursuing what it considers to be good for itself. That evil is more powerful than good has become the overarching assumption in Western discourse in the post-Sept. 11 era.

The sympathy that the victims of the Sept. 11 attack have received from around the world is not based on a perception of any uniqueness of the catastrophe faced by the victims in the United States. In fact, a denial of the uniqueness of this tragedy and the fact that people of other countries perceived that the world's most powerful nation's people also share a common predicament as themselves was the basis on which sympathy was extended to the victims of the U.S. tragedy. The essence of this tragedy is that it was not a personal tragedy as, for example, a natural death or natural separation, but it was a manmade tragedy and therefore of A SOCIAL NATURE. It is the social nature of the present crisis in the United States that is least discussed, however.

Humankind has a history of struggle against viruses and bacteria. What later became medicine in the Western sense were the refinements of the findings of the experiments of many civilisations into the sources of disease and to overcome these. What is important to consider is that the fight against viruses and bacteria was considered throughout history as a social project. It was a common concern for people and their illnesses that was the impetus for this social project. In the present discourse about viruses and bacteria, however, what is missing is the lack of recognition of the social nature of the fight against disease. Perhaps the reason for this blindness is that in modern Western discourse the social nature of humanity has been given very little importance. Technology has been discussed as a mere mechanical process that has no social base. The result is a refusal to accept that, given the possibilities for expression of the social nature of humankind, humanity can take control of technology.

The helplessness the modern scientist feels against the misuse of science for large-scale destruction is due to the loss of human defences because science has distanced itself from humanity at large and is making it subservient to private users and private profit. In the West itself, some countries provide a model of social organisation in which the social nature of human beings is given greater expression. The unique experience of the Scandinavian countries is a good example. Dr. Steven Boris, a U.S. academic, believes that the development of the means of creating a peaceful transition is the greatest element in the tradition of the Danish people.

In the rest of Europe outside of the Scandinavian countries and in the United States, a social system in which peaceful transition is an important component has failed to develop.

The elements of systems that have peaceful transition as a significant component are the importance given to ordinary folk as against the elite, the importance given to common sense as against academic or expert opinions, the importance of collective wisdom as against personal opinions, the importance of collective interests over private interests and the importance of actual social strategies as against mere rhetoric about collective interests.

Although finding the paths of peaceful transition may be difficult and even may be painful to some, undertaking the effort that is required is certainly much easier than settling on some other planet. It does not stand to reason to assume that on some other planet there will not be people who may develop deadly viruses.

The United States must learn to forgive itself for mistakes towards its own people and others. By doing so as the most powerful country in the world, it will pave the way for others to also do the same. The initiative, however, must come from the most powerful and not the other way around. The policies of Robert McNamara and Henry Kissinger during the Vietnam War, for example, require examination by the American people. It is time for an American truth commission. In this path of reconciliation, humanity has a chance of avoiding the many tragedies it has been facing. It can then also live without the fear of someone who may unleash a deadly virus on us all.

POSTSCRIPT: Deadlier than Anthrax

Increasing the powers and influence of the CIA and FBI will have a much more deadly effect on America than any attack of anthrax. The soul of the United States is the democratic sprit. An increase in the powers of the CIA and FBI attacks this very soul. Already a fundamental change is taking place in terms of doctrines relating to basic freedoms and security. This will weaken the inner sprit of the United States. This weakening will make it even less capable of dealing with the basic problems it already confronts. In short, it will retard the creativity of the American people at the very time that such creativity is what the United States needs most.

2) SRI LANKA'S THREE MOST VENERATED BUDDHIST RELIGIOUS LEADERS HAVE OPPOSED ANY POLITICAL NEGOTIATION WITH THE LTTE and flayed mainstream parties for failing to capitalise on the international anti-terrorism fight to defeat the LTTE.

"Seeking a political solution with elements who attacked the Temple of the Tooth Relic at Kandy and killed worshippers at the Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura will result only in the loss of territories under government control," the three Maha Nayake Theras said. "Today is the best time to eradicate terrorism, which is being fought by the whole world. Yet, none of the parties seems to make use of this opportunity," the Maha Nayaks said in a joint statement here. www.theacademic.org

3) URGENT CALL FROM PAKISTAN CHURCHES FOR PEACE, NOT WAR.

The General Secretary of the National Council of Churches in Pakistan, Mr Victor Azariah has called on the world community to seek peace at this time and to stop the war in Afghanistan. "War is not the answer to this political problem. Negotiation and respect for each other's rights is vital. Churches in Pakistan have supported the government of Pakistan in letter and spirit in the desire to eliminate terrorism, together with the international community. But they also feel that attacking and killing innocent people in Afghanistan is extremely unwise and should be immediately stopped.

Christians are doing all they can to assist the refugees. Only Pakistanis are able to get into the refugee camps. We call on the Christian community internationally to assist with the relief effort, but it is even more important to advocate peace and an end to this war. Pakistani Christians are also actively engaged with inter-faith discussions with Muslims. So we have met Muslim dignitaries and tried to assist them to understand the way we view things. We are Pakistani Christians. We love our country and are loyal citizens of our own country, no one else's."

The Christian Conference of Asia, urges Christians and all others of goodwill to actively work and pray for peace. Said Dr Ahn Jae Woong, General Secretary of Christian Conference of Asia, " We need to move from being bystanders to realising that we make a difference and do whatever we can towards long-term peace, understanding and stability for all."

Post Script: The reports of attacks on a number of NGOs and a Christian church in Pakistan have reached us this morning.

4) RIGHTS ABUSES IN SWEATSHOPS

-- Watch WITNESS Rights Alert video "Behind the Labels", excerpted from the longer documentary, and ACT NOW. Visit http://www.witness.org to view excerpts from "Behind the Labels: Garment Workers on U.S. Saipan," produced/directed by two-times Emmy nominee, Tia Lessin, on indentured labor and sweatshops on the U.S. territory of Saipan, featuring undercover footage and personal testimony.

Lured by false promises and driven by desperation, thousands of Chinese and Filipina women pay high fees to work in garment factories on the pacific island of Saipan-the only U.S. territory exempt from labor and immigration laws. The clothing they sew, bearing the "Made in the USA" label, is shipped duty and quota-free to the U.S for sale by The GAP, J. Crew, Polo and other retailers. Powerful hidden camera footage, along with the garment workers' personal stories, offers a rare and unforgettable glimpse into indentured labor and the workings of the global sweatshop-where 14 hour shifts, payless paydays and lock-downs are routine. BEHIND THE LABELS takes the story from the factory floor to the streets, where protesters worldwide wage an ongoing battle against globalization.

5) YANGON, Oct 21 (AFP) - Myanmar's military government has imposed curfews in several northern towns following CLASHES BETWEEN MUSLIMS, BUDDHISTS and state riot police in recent weeks, a government official said Sunday. Long-standing tension between some members of the Muslim and Buddhist communities intensified on October 8 after a local religious dispute in Myanmar's Bago district touched off conflicts in neighbouring towns.

6) The protection of minorities: A critical challenge for everyone - Bangladesh A.H. Monjurul Kabir

The recent press reports from different parts of Bangladesh on the alleged repression committed against the minority community, the Hindu community in particular, is regrettable and anti-human rights. In the last three decades, human rights abuses against the Hindu minority in Bangladesh have largely gone unreported. Sadly, Bangladeshi nationalism has not been fully successful to accommodate the Hindu minority with propriety.

About 87 per cent of the population of Bangladesh is Muslim. However, Article 2A of the Constitution the minority Hindus, Buddhists and Christians have the right to practice their religious beliefs.

7) NEWS IN BRIEF

- ONE MILLION DALITS TO CONVERT TO BUDDHISM

By Vishnu Makhijani, Indo-Asian News Service New Delhi, Oct. 22 (IANS) One million Dalits, who make up the lowest rung of caste-ridden Hindu society, will convert to Buddhism next month in what will be the largest event of its kind in the world, the organisers announced Monday. They were sick and tired of the mental and physical torture of upper caste Hindus, said Ram Raj of the All India Confederation of Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribes Organisations.

- PROPOSED U.S. TORTURE POLICY?

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Ashcroft Justice Department are considering using torture as an approved policy of the United States against those in detention who assert their legal rights to remain silent. According to the Washington Post, the U.S. Government is discussing using "pressure tactics, such as those employed occasionally by Israeli interrogators, to extract information" from persons in their custody in the Government's broad reaching "terrorism" investigation.

- AFGHANISTAN: Afghans Face "Mass Starvation," FAO Warns; More

The people of Afghanistan are threatened with "mass starvation," and neighboring countries are suffering from prolonged drought, making it difficult to care for incoming refugees, the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organisation warned today in a Global Information and Early Warning System report. (UN Wire)

8) AHRC NEWS

- A Day for the Disappeared in Sri Lanka: A number of activities which includes an Exhibition by the Korean Artist Hong Seong Dam was held on 28th at the Monument for the Disappeared in Raddoluwa. Basil and Park were represent at the occasion.

ASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION - URGENT APPEALS PROGRAM
UP-42-2001 (RE: UA25/01: National day greetings to the people and the government of Malaysia)
UPDATE (MALAYSIA): Abolish the Internal Security Act (ISA) Campaign