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RELIGIOUS PERSPECTIVES ON HUMAN RIGHTS

E-Newsletter
Vol.3 No.3
January 15, 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.

2001 -INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF MOBILISATION AGAINST RACISM

"United to combat racism: equality, justice, dignity."

1) What will you do for victims of Human Rights IF YOU HAVE 20 BILLION DOLLARS!

A comment by Basil Fernando

The newly appointed US President is celebrating his honeymoon by allocating 20 billion US dollars for research on a National Missile Defence System.

Whether the 200 million Americans consider themselves to be under such a threat for agreeing for an expenditure of such an enormity is unclear to us. However we do know that there are many others around the world who do live facing threats to their daily survival They are, for example the children throughout the world, who with six billion dollars can be fed and malnutrition completely eradicated from the earth. Many diseases can be eradicated from the face of the earth with just a few billion dollars. The problem of child soldiers will disappear if money is used for children's' education and employment. The black Americans living in ghettos will be able to enjoy equal rights with others with a more funds allocated to them. All that you have to do is to sit down for a moment and to reflect on how many problems can be solved if only this enormous sums of money is made available for the benefit of humanity.

Well, whether US Presidents are elected for the purpose of helping humanity or not is for history to judge. Perhaps the heavy arms industries want the US Presidents to be their servant first. Whether this correct or not can now be judged in the way that such monies are allocated. Perhaps it is time for people with some conscience to reflect as to whether humanity's sufferings are due to lack of resources or due to lack of proper allocation of resources. Perhaps you may think of writing a letter to the US President or anyone else you think is appropriate to raise these concerns and make your suggestions heard regarding the proper use of these enormous sums. 

2) LAY PERSONS AND A CATHOLIC PRIEST DETAINED FOR PROTESTING AGAINST BLASPHEM LAWS in Karachi 

Peter Jacob

A Catholic priest Fr. Arnold Heredia (60) and a Catholic layperson Mr. Alsam Martin (44) include protestors detained January 10, 2001 for taking part in an anti-blasphemy laws held under the auspices of a All Faith Spiritual Movement in Karachi. Fr. Arnold Heredia has served in human rights organizations for over two decades and he is respected in the civil society. A joint application for their release on bail was rejected on January 11, 2001. The Committee for Justice & Peace in Karachi shall move High Court next day. The lower court has ordered a physical remand of the detainees till January 16th, 2001.

IN a press statement today January 11, 2001 the National Commission for Justice & Peace (NCJP) of the Catholic Church in Pakistan expressed deep concern over the use of brutal force (baton charging & tear gas) and detention of peaceful procession against the blasphemy laws in Karachi on January 10, 2001. "The anger of the people against blasphemy laws is genuine and based on witness of people being illegally and unjustly murdered, their properties looted, their places of worship destroyed (as in Khanewal /Shantinagar) and people being forced to leave the country on pretext of blasphemy charges.

We reiterate our faith in building a sectarianism and violence free Pakistan. However it is imperative to do away with all discriminatory laws including blasphemy laws and separate electorates if Pakistan is to make any progress."

3) Documents on a Civilian Slaughter Found - CIVILIAN SLAUGHTER BY THE KOREAN ARMY IN VIETNAM

Korea, USA, Vietnam Joint Investigation

The Truth Committee on Civilian Slaughter in the Vietnam War (henceforth, Truth Committee) co-representative Hae-dong Lee, made public at a cafe in An-kook Dong on November 14 that documents and photos were acquired supporting the suspicion of  civilian slaughter by the Korean Army in the Vietnam War.

These materials, which contain various kinds of investigation reports of the Headquarter of US Forces in Vietnam and about twenty photos, had been kept in the National Archives & Records Administration and removed out of confidential documents, allowing for the Truth Committee to acquire them. The Truth Committee also stated "that besides the materials already made public, we have additional documents from the United States and will open it to the public as soon as it's arranged."

These materials contain reports on three civilian slaughter cases (69 victims) including Pong-ni village in Kuang-nam on February 12, 1968. But Myung-shin Choi, major General of the Korean army in Vietnam, denied the fact that the Korean army was involved in the slaughter in the letter sent to US Army. US army reports, however, did not concur with the Korean army's view and concluded that the slaughter seemed to be the responsibility of the Korean soldiers specifying the operation unit on a company level.

From these materials, the most notable fact is that the slaughter case of Puokmai village in April 1969 became an international issue at that time, thus creating a joint investigation by Korea¡¤USA¡¤Vietnam. A certain member of the executive committee appealed, "All material related to the Vietnam War should be opened to the public and the truth must be revealed, regardless of the time passed."

SOURCE: KOREA HUMAN RIGHTS DAILY NEWS Nov. 15th, 2000.