Human Rights Part 2

People's integrity must be preserved

There is a saying, that people share three things: water, wood and grass. Clean water and food are basic necessities and governments should be able to nourish every living creature in the country.

Freedom of expression belongs to every individual, regardless of their gender, faith or cultural background. When this lacks, it is replaced by misunderstanding, misperceptions, suspicion, extremism, violence and terrorism, leading to long-lasting conflict. In my view, faith/religion choice is a God given right. Everyone should have the right to choose what they believe in and their way of life. To try and change that is a crime against humanity.

We also have a duty towards the younger generations, to provide them with proper education materials and respect others’ ideas. Even if we don’t agree, we should engage in dialogue, rather than put up a blockage against other thoughts. The foetus’ right to live is such a debatable issue, which needs to be approached through dialogue.

I remember meeting the Prime-Minister of Malaysia in 2003 and him saying to me that he used 20% of the budget for 20 years to change Malaysia from what it was to what it is now. I believe him- for it is our duty to give access to human rights to people, even if they don’t claim them.