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Showing posts with label Ros Visal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ros Visal. Show all posts
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
What Are Human Rights?
Monday, January 04, 2010
Op-Ed by R. Visal
Op-Ed by R. Visal
Let's start with some basic definitions:
Human: noun
A member of the Homo sapiens species; a man, woman or child; a person.
Rights: noun
Things to which you are entitled or allowed; freedoms that are guaranteed.
Human Rights: noun
The rights you have simply because you are human.
If you were to ask people in the street, "What are human rights?" you would get many different answers. They would tell you the rights they know about, but very few people know all their rights.
As covered in the definitions above, a right is a freedom of some kind. It is something to which you are entitled by virtue of being human.
Human rights are based on the principle of respect for the individual. Their fundamental assumption is that each person is a moral and rational being who deserves to be treated with dignity. They are called human rights because they are universal. Whereas nations or specialized groups enjoy specific rights that apply only to them, human rights are the rights to which everyone is entitled—no matter who they are or where they live—simply because they are alive.
Yet many people, when asked to name their rights, will list only freedom of speech and belief and perhaps one or two others. There is no question these are important rights, but the full scope of human rights is very broad. They mean choice and opportunity. They mean the freedom to obtain a job, adopt a career, select a partner of one's choice and raise children. They include the right to travel widely and the right to work gainfully without harassment, abuse and threat of arbitrary dismissal. They even embrace the right to leisure.
A long time ago, human rights did not exist at all. Then the idea emerged that people should have certain freedoms. And that idea, in the wake of World War II, resulted finally in the document called the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 30 rights to which all people are entitled.
On December 10, 1948 the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
-------
PREAMBLE
Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,
Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,
Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law,
Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations,
Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,
Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in co-operation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms,
Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge,
Now, Therefore THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY proclaims THIS UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.
Article 1.
· All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
Article 2.
· Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.
Article 3.
· Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.
Article 4.
· No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.
Article 5.
· No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
Article 6.
· Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.
Article 7.
· All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.
Article 8.
· Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law.
Article 9.
· No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.
Article 10.
· Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.
Article 11.
· (1) Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defence.
· (2) No one shall be held guilty of any penal offence on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a penal offence, under national or international law, at the time when it was committed. Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time the penal offence was committed.
Article 12.
· No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.
Article 13.
· (1) Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state.
· (2) Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.
Article 14.
· (1) Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.
· (2) This right may not be invoked in the case of prosecutions genuinely arising from non-political crimes or from acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
Article 15.
· (1) Everyone has the right to a nationality.
· (2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality.
Article 16.
· (1) Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution.
· (2) Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.
· (3) The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.
Article 17.
· (1) Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others.
· (2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.
Article 18.
· Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.
Article 19.
· Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
Article 20.
· (1) Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
· (2) No one may be compelled to belong to an association.
Article 21.
· (1) Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.
· (2) Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country.
· (3) The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.
Article 22.
· Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality.
Article 23.
· (1) Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.
· (2) Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.
· (3) Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection.
· (4) Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.
Article 24.
· Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay.
Article 25.
· (1) Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.
· (2) Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.
Article 26.
· (1) Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.
· (2) Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.
· (3) Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.
Article 27.
· (1) Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.
· (2) Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.
Article 28.
· Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized.
Article 29.
· (1) Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible.
· (2) In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society.
· (3) These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
Article 30.
· Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein.
R. Visal
SRP-Pennsylvania
Sources: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Peamble; abstracted from United Nations
Human: noun
A member of the Homo sapiens species; a man, woman or child; a person.
Rights: noun
Things to which you are entitled or allowed; freedoms that are guaranteed.
Human Rights: noun
The rights you have simply because you are human.
If you were to ask people in the street, "What are human rights?" you would get many different answers. They would tell you the rights they know about, but very few people know all their rights.
As covered in the definitions above, a right is a freedom of some kind. It is something to which you are entitled by virtue of being human.
Human rights are based on the principle of respect for the individual. Their fundamental assumption is that each person is a moral and rational being who deserves to be treated with dignity. They are called human rights because they are universal. Whereas nations or specialized groups enjoy specific rights that apply only to them, human rights are the rights to which everyone is entitled—no matter who they are or where they live—simply because they are alive.
Yet many people, when asked to name their rights, will list only freedom of speech and belief and perhaps one or two others. There is no question these are important rights, but the full scope of human rights is very broad. They mean choice and opportunity. They mean the freedom to obtain a job, adopt a career, select a partner of one's choice and raise children. They include the right to travel widely and the right to work gainfully without harassment, abuse and threat of arbitrary dismissal. They even embrace the right to leisure.
A long time ago, human rights did not exist at all. Then the idea emerged that people should have certain freedoms. And that idea, in the wake of World War II, resulted finally in the document called the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 30 rights to which all people are entitled.
On December 10, 1948 the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
-------
The Universal
Declaration of Human Rights
Declaration of Human Rights
PREAMBLE
Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,
Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,
Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law,
Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations,
Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,
Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in co-operation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms,
Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge,
Now, Therefore THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY proclaims THIS UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.
Article 1.
· All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
Article 2.
· Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.
Article 3.
· Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.
Article 4.
· No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.
Article 5.
· No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
Article 6.
· Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.
Article 7.
· All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.
Article 8.
· Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law.
Article 9.
· No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.
Article 10.
· Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.
Article 11.
· (1) Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defence.
· (2) No one shall be held guilty of any penal offence on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a penal offence, under national or international law, at the time when it was committed. Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time the penal offence was committed.
Article 12.
· No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.
Article 13.
· (1) Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state.
· (2) Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.
Article 14.
· (1) Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.
· (2) This right may not be invoked in the case of prosecutions genuinely arising from non-political crimes or from acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
Article 15.
· (1) Everyone has the right to a nationality.
· (2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality.
Article 16.
· (1) Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution.
· (2) Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.
· (3) The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.
Article 17.
· (1) Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others.
· (2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.
Article 18.
· Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.
Article 19.
· Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
Article 20.
· (1) Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
· (2) No one may be compelled to belong to an association.
Article 21.
· (1) Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.
· (2) Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country.
· (3) The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.
Article 22.
· Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality.
Article 23.
· (1) Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.
· (2) Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.
· (3) Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection.
· (4) Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.
Article 24.
· Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay.
Article 25.
· (1) Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.
· (2) Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.
Article 26.
· (1) Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.
· (2) Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.
· (3) Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.
Article 27.
· (1) Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.
· (2) Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.
Article 28.
· Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized.
Article 29.
· (1) Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible.
· (2) In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society.
· (3) These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
Article 30.
· Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein.
R. Visal
SRP-Pennsylvania
Sources: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Peamble; abstracted from United Nations
Saturday, January 02, 2010
Colorful band from Philadelphia - A report by R. Visal
All photos by myphl17, Philadelphia - January 01, 2010
Sources: myphl17, Philadelphia - January 01, 2010
The Mummers Parade
Philadelphia's New Year's Day Tradition
Philadelphia's New Year's Day Tradition
New Year’s Day is about celebrating. At the Philadelphia’s Mummers Parade, a 109-year-old tradition in which 10,000 men and women dressed in colorfully lavish costumes twirl, sashay, pirouette and strut up one of the city’s main streets. An unforgettably wild ritual, the parade and subsequent performances are all family-friendly, yet exciting enough to entertain everybody.
Mummers are men and women of all ages who belong to one of 44 social clubs that make up the organization. The clubs, split into four divisions — Comics, Fancies, String Bands and Fancy Brigades — function mainly to stage their playful performances on New Year’s Day. But Mummers do perform at other events throughout the year, and for many Philadelphia-area families, Mummery is a tradition that spans generations.
The day’s highlight is the parade itself, which begins in South Philadelphia in the morning and winds its way up Broad Street to City Hall approximately eight hours later. Each division knows its role: the Comics, often dressed as wenches, satirize issues, institutions and people; the Fancies impress with their glamorous outfits that rival those of royalty; the String Bands gleefully play banjoes, saxophones and percussion instruments; and the Fancy Brigades produce tightly choreographed theatrical extravaganzas.
R. Visal
SRP-Pennsylvania
Mummers are men and women of all ages who belong to one of 44 social clubs that make up the organization. The clubs, split into four divisions — Comics, Fancies, String Bands and Fancy Brigades — function mainly to stage their playful performances on New Year’s Day. But Mummers do perform at other events throughout the year, and for many Philadelphia-area families, Mummery is a tradition that spans generations.
The day’s highlight is the parade itself, which begins in South Philadelphia in the morning and winds its way up Broad Street to City Hall approximately eight hours later. Each division knows its role: the Comics, often dressed as wenches, satirize issues, institutions and people; the Fancies impress with their glamorous outfits that rival those of royalty; the String Bands gleefully play banjoes, saxophones and percussion instruments; and the Fancy Brigades produce tightly choreographed theatrical extravaganzas.
R. Visal
SRP-Pennsylvania
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Ros Visal's letter to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
December 17, 2009
The Honorable Ann Syauta, Human Rights Officer
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
United Nations
Room DC2-1230
2 United Nations
New York, NY 10017
Dear Excellency Syauta,
The Honorable Ann Syauta, Human Rights Officer
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
United Nations
Room DC2-1230
2 United Nations
New York, NY 10017
Dear Excellency Syauta,
I am writing to you today out of my deepest concerns for the rapid declining state of democracy in Cambodia. Furthermore, I wish to seek your support and intervention to end the Cambodian government’s policy and practices of forced land evictions in the name of development. On-going land grabbing activity has been increasingly widespread throughout the country. It has caused enormous pain and suffering, with unimaginable long term consequences to the lives of many poor, defenseless people. Much of those inhumane activities have been well documented by human rights organization such as LICAHDO, Human Rights Watch, and Center for Human Rights in Cambodia.
Defamation law has severe restrictions on fundamental of human freedom and liberties. It is truly a legal tool designed to effectively silencing any critics of the Cambodian government, corrupted officials as well as their relatives. In all cases, the Cambodian government and their corrupted officials has used its controlled courts to convict anyone, journalists, victims of land disputes, political activists, and even the people’s elected representatives. For example, on November 16, 2009, the National Assembly voted to lift the parliamentary immunity of Mr. Sam Rainsy, leader of the official opposition. It was done without any regard for his elected rights or the people whom he represented.
The immunity-stripping of Mr. Sam Rainsy is indicative to what lies ahead for a country which has become less and less tolerant on freedom of speech and expression by its people. It sends a very clear threatening message to all representatives of the people.
Cambodia is moving away from democracy, from its international obligations signed under Paris Peace Accord 1991. All country’s main institutions are either directly or indirectly controlled by the executive branch. The judiciary system is not independent as it should be. Cambodia has become a nation ruled by tyrant, camouflaged with a fake “Democracy,” while in reality it lacks all the central components to be called or recognized as such.
We seek your support to end the on-going erosion of civil liberties, and systematic human rights violations in Cambodia by putting the Cambodian government on notice that such abuses can no longer be tolerated.
Thank you for your precious time and your utmost consideration to this matter.
Sincerely yours,
Ros, Visal
Email: samrainsyparty.usa@gmail.com
Defamation law has severe restrictions on fundamental of human freedom and liberties. It is truly a legal tool designed to effectively silencing any critics of the Cambodian government, corrupted officials as well as their relatives. In all cases, the Cambodian government and their corrupted officials has used its controlled courts to convict anyone, journalists, victims of land disputes, political activists, and even the people’s elected representatives. For example, on November 16, 2009, the National Assembly voted to lift the parliamentary immunity of Mr. Sam Rainsy, leader of the official opposition. It was done without any regard for his elected rights or the people whom he represented.
The immunity-stripping of Mr. Sam Rainsy is indicative to what lies ahead for a country which has become less and less tolerant on freedom of speech and expression by its people. It sends a very clear threatening message to all representatives of the people.
Cambodia is moving away from democracy, from its international obligations signed under Paris Peace Accord 1991. All country’s main institutions are either directly or indirectly controlled by the executive branch. The judiciary system is not independent as it should be. Cambodia has become a nation ruled by tyrant, camouflaged with a fake “Democracy,” while in reality it lacks all the central components to be called or recognized as such.
We seek your support to end the on-going erosion of civil liberties, and systematic human rights violations in Cambodia by putting the Cambodian government on notice that such abuses can no longer be tolerated.
Thank you for your precious time and your utmost consideration to this matter.
Sincerely yours,
Ros, Visal
Email: samrainsyparty.usa@gmail.com
Monday, December 14, 2009
Statement by Mr. Ros Visal
United Nations Human Rights Conferences in New York, December 11, 2009
Statement by Mr. Ros Visal, Sam Rainsy Party of Pennsylvania, USA
Statement by Mr. Ros Visal, Sam Rainsy Party of Pennsylvania, USA
The United Nations was established as a body for facilitating international cooperation in law, security, economic development, social progress, human rights and conflict resolution. I am here today to discuss the challenges that we in Cambodia face on each of these points. As a member of the opposition political party, the views that I will share here would be dangerous to speak of in much of my home country. But I believe it is important for the truth to be heard.
Cambodians appreciate the democratic government structure that has been put in place since the UN's engagement with our country twenty years ago. Unfortunately, the political party that has ruled the country for that entire time has done more harm than good to our nation. Today I would like to share with you the most pressing threats to the well-being of our citizens, and the serious failures of the Cambodian government to properly manage our struggles.
Let us begin with the concrete examples of forced evictions and the abuse of property rights. The Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, military police and civilian police officers armed with guns and lethal weapons, have been forcing tens of thousands of our citizens off of their farmland and from their urban homes. The government is engaged in a nation-wide scheme to install large agribusiness projects and commercial development. To accomplish this goal, they physically force thousands of families to leave their homes, their farms and their livelihoods. In their place, they plant the business ventures of foreign companies.
The entire process has felt like a nightmare that will never end. If a relocation site is offered, it often does not have schools or clean drinking water. Often sites are not offered, and small farmers are forced to live in make-shift tents along the side of roads. Livestock starve and die. Children become malnourished and listless. More than a quarter million of our citizens have been victims of government sponsored land grabbing. This is unconstitutional, of course, but the law is applied only to benefit the already wealthy and well connected. In a perversion of justice, the people typically sent to jail are not the thieves, but the farmers who attempt to defend access to the land they have been tilling for decades. Many of our citizens have been killed while trying to defend their plots of land from government take-over.
And what happens in our courts? Nothing. What is labeled "the justice system" in Cambodia has little to do with defending the rights of our citizens, and more to do with justifying the crimes of the powerful. Innocent people are falsely prosecuted for crimes, and high ranking government officials are above the law. Impunity is sadly the rule rather than the exception. The gravest of crimes - murder, torture, rape, the trafficking of women and children - go unpunished if the perpetrators have money or influential connections. Cambodia's justice system would be better called a justification system. Corruption is common in the police and behind the bench, and decisions regularly follow the instructions of the ruling political party.
Under such a sloppy legal regime, nothing could be easier than abusing human rights and getting away with it. As in many other semi-authoritarian states across the globe, Cambodian citizens, politicians and journalists who criticize the government face intimidation and violence. Labor leaders, community activists and journalists have been murdered, and their families sent into hiding. Many have no option but to leave the country.
In a legitimately democratic state, social problems would be debated, and the society would work together to determine solutions. In Cambodia, voices that question or criticize are silenced. The government consistently establishes rules and enacts policies to deny speech. Critics are thrown into jail, newspapers are forced to close their doors through intimidation, legal defenders of human rights are debarred, the legal rights of vocal Members of Parliament are stripped away, the size of demonstrations are restricted. At the core of a legitimate democracy lies a commitment to solving problems through mutual dialogue. At the core of the Cambodian government lies a commitment to push through what it wants while silencing any voices of dissent. While freedom of speech has never been particularly strong in post-Khmer Rouge Cambodia, the situation has worsened in recent years. Many of us believe that the country faces the gravest threats we have seen to democratic development, and the future seems most likely to bring further deterioration, unless a different course is taken than what has become standard practice.
All of these points contribute to a larger conclusion, that the Kingdom of Cambodia, under its current leadership, is not a legitimate democracy, but rather a semi-authoritarian state. 1991 was a watershed year in our nation's history. It was then that the Paris Peace Agreement was signed, ending a decade of violence that followed the terrible years of the Khmer Rouge. In 1991, all the relevant parties agreed to work towards the advancement of the Cambodian nation and people, without discrimination or prejudice, and with full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all. All of the rival political groups in Cambodia signed this pledge, as did the Secretary General of the United Nations, the United States of America and 18 other nations. The Cambodian People's Party, the current ruling party, has failed to follow through on its promise to the world. It has neither respected the rule of law nor kept the public well-being as its central goal. Rather, the party views the Kingdom of Cambodia as a fiefdom in which its word is unquestionable, and they back this up with force against their own citizens.
I do not believe that my country has to look like this forever. This is why I am involved with an opposition political party. I believe that with a public-minded leadership and the support of the United Nations, Cambodia's future could be bright and promising. To this end, we request the United Nations to continue their focus on Cambodia, particularly to monitor human rights abuses and to ensure the safety of Cambodian human rights activists. We need to draft and implement a human rights law, and would appreciate your support in that effort. We also believe that the UN has a role to play in pressuring the Cambodian government to accept opposition groups as legitimate actors in building a stronger Cambodia. I appreciate the opportunity to speak to you today, and look forward to continued engagement with the UN on securing the rights of every Cambodian citizen.
Ros Visal
SRP of Pennsylvania, USA
samrainsyparty.usa@gmail.com
Cambodians appreciate the democratic government structure that has been put in place since the UN's engagement with our country twenty years ago. Unfortunately, the political party that has ruled the country for that entire time has done more harm than good to our nation. Today I would like to share with you the most pressing threats to the well-being of our citizens, and the serious failures of the Cambodian government to properly manage our struggles.
Let us begin with the concrete examples of forced evictions and the abuse of property rights. The Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, military police and civilian police officers armed with guns and lethal weapons, have been forcing tens of thousands of our citizens off of their farmland and from their urban homes. The government is engaged in a nation-wide scheme to install large agribusiness projects and commercial development. To accomplish this goal, they physically force thousands of families to leave their homes, their farms and their livelihoods. In their place, they plant the business ventures of foreign companies.
The entire process has felt like a nightmare that will never end. If a relocation site is offered, it often does not have schools or clean drinking water. Often sites are not offered, and small farmers are forced to live in make-shift tents along the side of roads. Livestock starve and die. Children become malnourished and listless. More than a quarter million of our citizens have been victims of government sponsored land grabbing. This is unconstitutional, of course, but the law is applied only to benefit the already wealthy and well connected. In a perversion of justice, the people typically sent to jail are not the thieves, but the farmers who attempt to defend access to the land they have been tilling for decades. Many of our citizens have been killed while trying to defend their plots of land from government take-over.
And what happens in our courts? Nothing. What is labeled "the justice system" in Cambodia has little to do with defending the rights of our citizens, and more to do with justifying the crimes of the powerful. Innocent people are falsely prosecuted for crimes, and high ranking government officials are above the law. Impunity is sadly the rule rather than the exception. The gravest of crimes - murder, torture, rape, the trafficking of women and children - go unpunished if the perpetrators have money or influential connections. Cambodia's justice system would be better called a justification system. Corruption is common in the police and behind the bench, and decisions regularly follow the instructions of the ruling political party.
Under such a sloppy legal regime, nothing could be easier than abusing human rights and getting away with it. As in many other semi-authoritarian states across the globe, Cambodian citizens, politicians and journalists who criticize the government face intimidation and violence. Labor leaders, community activists and journalists have been murdered, and their families sent into hiding. Many have no option but to leave the country.
In a legitimately democratic state, social problems would be debated, and the society would work together to determine solutions. In Cambodia, voices that question or criticize are silenced. The government consistently establishes rules and enacts policies to deny speech. Critics are thrown into jail, newspapers are forced to close their doors through intimidation, legal defenders of human rights are debarred, the legal rights of vocal Members of Parliament are stripped away, the size of demonstrations are restricted. At the core of a legitimate democracy lies a commitment to solving problems through mutual dialogue. At the core of the Cambodian government lies a commitment to push through what it wants while silencing any voices of dissent. While freedom of speech has never been particularly strong in post-Khmer Rouge Cambodia, the situation has worsened in recent years. Many of us believe that the country faces the gravest threats we have seen to democratic development, and the future seems most likely to bring further deterioration, unless a different course is taken than what has become standard practice.
All of these points contribute to a larger conclusion, that the Kingdom of Cambodia, under its current leadership, is not a legitimate democracy, but rather a semi-authoritarian state. 1991 was a watershed year in our nation's history. It was then that the Paris Peace Agreement was signed, ending a decade of violence that followed the terrible years of the Khmer Rouge. In 1991, all the relevant parties agreed to work towards the advancement of the Cambodian nation and people, without discrimination or prejudice, and with full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all. All of the rival political groups in Cambodia signed this pledge, as did the Secretary General of the United Nations, the United States of America and 18 other nations. The Cambodian People's Party, the current ruling party, has failed to follow through on its promise to the world. It has neither respected the rule of law nor kept the public well-being as its central goal. Rather, the party views the Kingdom of Cambodia as a fiefdom in which its word is unquestionable, and they back this up with force against their own citizens.
I do not believe that my country has to look like this forever. This is why I am involved with an opposition political party. I believe that with a public-minded leadership and the support of the United Nations, Cambodia's future could be bright and promising. To this end, we request the United Nations to continue their focus on Cambodia, particularly to monitor human rights abuses and to ensure the safety of Cambodian human rights activists. We need to draft and implement a human rights law, and would appreciate your support in that effort. We also believe that the UN has a role to play in pressuring the Cambodian government to accept opposition groups as legitimate actors in building a stronger Cambodia. I appreciate the opportunity to speak to you today, and look forward to continued engagement with the UN on securing the rights of every Cambodian citizen.
Ros Visal
SRP of Pennsylvania, USA
samrainsyparty.usa@gmail.com
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
If she’s so scared, why would she return back, can you explain, Doc Cheam Yeap?
Cheam Yeap: Another CPP PhD without attending school?Dr. Cheam Yeap: The opposition people exaggerate so much overseas and they are now scared (sic!)
21 September 2009
By Ratana
Khmer Sthabna
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
A high-ranking official of the ruling CPP reacted to the critics by human rights group and an opposition MP after the latter talked without restraint (on 10 September 2009) to the US Congress Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, and these people are scared when they return back to Cambodia.
On 18 September 2009, Ros Visal, President of the SRP in the US, wrote a letter to US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton asking that the US government helps improve human rights and democracy in Cambodia, and he is also concerned about the use of the biased judiciary system to sue opposition MPs, NGO officials, and reporters. He also asked [for the US] to help ensure the safety of opposition MP Mu Sochua, the elected MP from Kampot province, and Phnom Penh MP Ho Vann, Dr. Pung Chiv Kek, President of Licadho, and Mr. Moeun Tola, the planning director of the Community Legal Education Center (CLEC).
Ros Visal added in his letter that the court system in Cambodia is not independent and government officials are above the law. In regards to freedom of expression, the government did not provide freedom to the people to speak the truth, and whoever dares to criticize the government, that person will be sued for defamation by the court. Freedom of the expression is the foundation to guarantee freedom and democracy, but it is actually not guaranteed, as stipulated in the Constitution.
The content of the letter to Mrs. Clinton also indicated that, in regard to the human rights problems, Members of Parliament, NGO officials, reporters are sued by the court and the legal system is used to lift MP’s parliamentary immunity for political purpose. Regarding the recent forced evictions in Cambodia, no proper compensations were provided and several thousands of families lost their lands and houses and these people have to face even more dire poverty situation.
Cheam Yeap, the CPP MP from Prey Veng and a high-ranking CPP official, reacted by saying that these are exaggerations of the truth provided to US representatives (on 10 September 2009), and he added that these people are now scared when they want to return back to Cambodia, so they are sending out letters seeking help interventions.
Dr. Cheam Yeap indicated the US government cannot interfere inside Cambodia’s boundaries, and what the opposition people spoke, it was way out of limit, and now they are scared. He said that what the Phnom Penh regime undertook, it was all according to the law, and it was never outside of the law and the democratic principle, but nevertheless, there are still some cracks in everything.
Khieu Kanharith, the minister of Information and government spokesman, could not be reached over the phone in the afternoon of 21 September.
However, recently, Ouch Borith, the secretary of state for the ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that Mrs. Mu Sochua and the civil society close to the opposition party are lying, and that it was not true. He said that the government plays the democracy game, so Mrs. Mu Sochua should return back without fear.
Yim Sovann, SRP spokesman, said that both Cambodians and foreigners are very concerned about the human rights and democracy situation in Cambodia.
21 September 2009
By Ratana
Khmer Sthabna
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
A high-ranking official of the ruling CPP reacted to the critics by human rights group and an opposition MP after the latter talked without restraint (on 10 September 2009) to the US Congress Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, and these people are scared when they return back to Cambodia.
On 18 September 2009, Ros Visal, President of the SRP in the US, wrote a letter to US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton asking that the US government helps improve human rights and democracy in Cambodia, and he is also concerned about the use of the biased judiciary system to sue opposition MPs, NGO officials, and reporters. He also asked [for the US] to help ensure the safety of opposition MP Mu Sochua, the elected MP from Kampot province, and Phnom Penh MP Ho Vann, Dr. Pung Chiv Kek, President of Licadho, and Mr. Moeun Tola, the planning director of the Community Legal Education Center (CLEC).
Ros Visal added in his letter that the court system in Cambodia is not independent and government officials are above the law. In regards to freedom of expression, the government did not provide freedom to the people to speak the truth, and whoever dares to criticize the government, that person will be sued for defamation by the court. Freedom of the expression is the foundation to guarantee freedom and democracy, but it is actually not guaranteed, as stipulated in the Constitution.
The content of the letter to Mrs. Clinton also indicated that, in regard to the human rights problems, Members of Parliament, NGO officials, reporters are sued by the court and the legal system is used to lift MP’s parliamentary immunity for political purpose. Regarding the recent forced evictions in Cambodia, no proper compensations were provided and several thousands of families lost their lands and houses and these people have to face even more dire poverty situation.
Cheam Yeap, the CPP MP from Prey Veng and a high-ranking CPP official, reacted by saying that these are exaggerations of the truth provided to US representatives (on 10 September 2009), and he added that these people are now scared when they want to return back to Cambodia, so they are sending out letters seeking help interventions.
Dr. Cheam Yeap indicated the US government cannot interfere inside Cambodia’s boundaries, and what the opposition people spoke, it was way out of limit, and now they are scared. He said that what the Phnom Penh regime undertook, it was all according to the law, and it was never outside of the law and the democratic principle, but nevertheless, there are still some cracks in everything.
Khieu Kanharith, the minister of Information and government spokesman, could not be reached over the phone in the afternoon of 21 September.
However, recently, Ouch Borith, the secretary of state for the ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that Mrs. Mu Sochua and the civil society close to the opposition party are lying, and that it was not true. He said that the government plays the democracy game, so Mrs. Mu Sochua should return back without fear.
Yim Sovann, SRP spokesman, said that both Cambodians and foreigners are very concerned about the human rights and democracy situation in Cambodia.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Letter from Reader Ros Visal from Philadelphia
SRP march on August 4, 2009 following the verdict handed down to Mrs. Mu Sochua (Photo: SRP)Dear Mr. Sam Rainsy, Mrs. Mu Sochua, Dedicated Committees, All SRP’s Members and Supporters in Cambodia:
On behalf of the second generation Cambodian/American from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (USA) we thank lord Buddha for you, your courage, tenacity and vigilance.
Since the deliberate attack to you, our members and supporters on August 4, 2009, Walk for Justice Rally in Phnom Penh with Mrs. Mu Sochua, you have been deployed around the world and have demonstrated that you can win psychological battle against the injustice governance system by the current unethical ruling government.
The effects of your courage on that liberation rally in Phnom Penh are reverberating throughout the world. In short, you have given rise to the bright light of liberty in places where darkness has reign Cambodia for generations.
More than 200 years ago. The first president of the United States, George Washington in his First Inaugural Address: "The preservation of the sacred fire of liberty, and the destiny of the republican model of government, are justly considered deeply, perhaps as finally, staked on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people." Now you are passing on that sacred fire to Cambodians and others throughout the region.
You Patriots --Mr. Sam Rainsy, Mrs. Mu Sochua, Committees, Friends, Families, Members and Supporters-- have plowed the ground for liberty. We remain proud because you have stood bravely in harm's way and remain on post today. For this, we, the Cambodian/American People, offer our heartfelt thanks in your dignity to our nation. Although we grew up and live in America, we committed to support for you and SRP every day 100%.
Today, although we are safe but we do not forget those who suffered behind.
Sincerely,
Ros Visal
Philadelphia, PA
On behalf of the second generation Cambodian/American from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (USA) we thank lord Buddha for you, your courage, tenacity and vigilance.
Since the deliberate attack to you, our members and supporters on August 4, 2009, Walk for Justice Rally in Phnom Penh with Mrs. Mu Sochua, you have been deployed around the world and have demonstrated that you can win psychological battle against the injustice governance system by the current unethical ruling government.
The effects of your courage on that liberation rally in Phnom Penh are reverberating throughout the world. In short, you have given rise to the bright light of liberty in places where darkness has reign Cambodia for generations.
More than 200 years ago. The first president of the United States, George Washington in his First Inaugural Address: "The preservation of the sacred fire of liberty, and the destiny of the republican model of government, are justly considered deeply, perhaps as finally, staked on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people." Now you are passing on that sacred fire to Cambodians and others throughout the region.
You Patriots --Mr. Sam Rainsy, Mrs. Mu Sochua, Committees, Friends, Families, Members and Supporters-- have plowed the ground for liberty. We remain proud because you have stood bravely in harm's way and remain on post today. For this, we, the Cambodian/American People, offer our heartfelt thanks in your dignity to our nation. Although we grew up and live in America, we committed to support for you and SRP every day 100%.
Today, although we are safe but we do not forget those who suffered behind.
Sincerely,
Ros Visal
Philadelphia, PA
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