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RP to push for ASEAN human rights body in Singapore meeting PDF Print E-mail
Thursday, 21 February 2008 03:56

GMANews.TV - Feb 19, 2008

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The Philippines is set to push anew for the creation of an ASEAN human rights body when ministers of the 10-member regional bloc gather for an informal meeting in Singapore on Wednesday.

Underscoring the importance of the body, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo said the human person remains to be at the core of development for the Philippines as well as other ASEAN nations.

"Of particular interest to the Philippines are the creation of the ASEAN human rights body," Romulo said in a statement.

“For the Philippines and for our partners in the region, the human person is at the core of development. The protection of human rights and the creation of an environment that allows development in its fullest form are, therefore, essential," Romulo added.

The creation of a human rights body will be included in the landmark charter of the Association of the South East Asian Nations, since it will monitor human rights condition in each ASEAN country.

The ASEAN is currently in the process of drafting a Terms of Reference for the regional human rights body.

Only four of the 10 ASEAN member countries - Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand - have independent national human rights bodies. ASEAN's other members are Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore and Vietnam.

Aside from the creation of an ASEAN human rights body, Romulo said they will also discuss reforms and corresponding resource mobilization toward a stronger, more efficient and more effective ASEAN Secretariat.

He also said that ASEAN Foreign Ministers will also exchange views on regional and international issues that will have an impact on the country's sustained growth such as the nuclear issue in the Korean Peninsula and the developments in the Middle East. - GMANews.TV

 
Human Rights Torch Relay in Singapore (19 Jan 08) PDF Print E-mail
Wednesday, 30 January 2008 11:47
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Petition for National Human Rights Commission PDF Print E-mail
Saturday, 15 December 2007 06:53

Straits Times - Dec 10, 2007

By Keith Lin

A group of human rights activists yesterday called for a human rights commission to be set up in Singapore.

The petition comes from SG Human Rights, a nine-member informal group set up in October following the July decision by Asean, the Association of South-east Asian Nations, to include a provision for a human rights body in the Asean Charter.

The petition launch at the Speakers' Corner in Hong Lim Park was one of several activities held around the island at the weekend to commemorate Human Rights Day.

The day marks the anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly's adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on Dec 10, 1948.

Founding member of SG Human Rights Chia Ti Lik, a lawyer and former Workers' Party member, said the group felt that more attention needed to be paid to human rights if Singapore was to become a truly First World nation.

He hopes for an independent panel that will check human rights abuses and educate the public on human rights issues.

The group yesterday also invited members of the public to express their views on human rights at the Speakers' Corner.

Despite the heavy rain, eight speakers showed up to address a crowd of about 30 people.

The speakers included opposition politicians Chee Soon Juan and Jufrie Mahmood, as well as social activist Bridget Lew.

Former Workers' Party chief J.B. Jeyaretnam was scheduled to speak, but failed to make the trip due to a flood outside his home in Johor Baru.

The speakers addressed a range of issues, from protection of foreign workers' rights to the death penalty and lack of youth activism.

Also commemorating International Human Rights Day yesterday was the Singapore Working Committee for an Asean Human Rights Mechanism.

Its volunteers spent yesterday afternoon distributing stickers highlighting the plight of the Myanmar people and calling on Asean to sustain the pressure on the military junta.

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Human Rights Day: Singapore Lawyers Petition to Law Society PDF Print E-mail
Monday, 10 December 2007 20:06
Official SG Human Rights video coverage.

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Human Rights Day PDF Print E-mail
Thursday, 06 December 2007 09:02

Are there issues concerning society, community and the individual that you feel are of importance yet nothing seems to be done?

Every day, as you turn the newspaper, you find good news: economic growth, academic records bested, awards and medals won; yet also, bad ones: violence against civilians and communities, the use of force and coercion to crush dissent, the continued existence of poverty and widening income gap, child and maid abuse.

What does it mean to be human? What rights do each of us have? What can we do about it?

10 December is Human Rights Day and anniversary of the 1948 UN adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights where respect for the fundamental rights and dignity of each and every person is recognised as "the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world".

The year 2007 also marks the 20th anniversary of Operation Spectrum when 22 individuals were arrested under the Internal Security Act, on the alleged grounds of a "Marxist conspiracy".

SG Human Rights will mark the occasion on 9 December, Sunday, at Speakers' Corner, Hong Lim Park. We will relaunch the petition drive to call for the formation of an independent national human rights commission and speak on issues of fundamental liberties. Others who will speak include Mr J.B. Jeyaratnam, Mr Mohd Jufrie Mahmood and Mr Jolovan Wham (of HOME).

Listen to what others have to say. Or even, speak. Exercise your freedom of expression, for Speakers' Corner is for all Singaporeans. Join us in commemorating Human Rights Day.

Date: 9 December 2007, Sunday
Time: 2.30pm – 4.00pm
Place: Speakers' Corner, Hong Lim Park (Nearest MRT: Clarke Quay)

What you may need:

  • NRIC (for registration purposes if you wish to speak)
  • Umbrella (in case of bad weather)
 
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