We took from wikipedia, where human rights are "Examples of rights and freedoms which are often thought of as human rights include civil and political rights, such as the right to life and liberty, freedom of expression, and equality before the law; and social, cultural and economic rights, including the right to participate in culture, the right to food, the right to work, and the right to education."
Civil and political rights
This has little concreteness since politics, which are a feature of social change, is different in every country. Try democracy today in Iraq, and you may end up with civil war. Russia opened up its market overnight and see its economy plunged into chaos. We have to be careful of civil and political move, and not every move in the 'rights' way is good.
Rights to Life and Liberty, Expression, and Equality before Law
I do not know how to untangle these from the previous since they are intimately related.
Life is vague and again different in every country. Some people wanted to be 'somebody,' some merely wanted to relax and be merry. So I guess a country that provides for all is good.
Liberty is more complicated. It maybe interpreted as the ability to do what you like. I think the US and some western countries are taken as the role model in this. But consider a Catholic who grew up in inner states may have less freedom to choose not to got to church, due to social pressure. Liberty is thus highly social-dependent. I think more than what the government can impose on its people.
Expression is surely something often referred to as violation. Considered how some western news portrayed the 'oppression' of Tibet. How they framed Iraq has an oppressed state, thus the west should bring 'freedom' to the country. How they expressed Iran, which never started a war, as a new evil. And how a US newspaper exaggerated Bush's popularity to earn votes? Express as much as you like! But do not hurt others. If you cannot control yourself from harming others, the let others control you!
Law has been said, kind of. Simply, law is expensive in some countries and prohibitive to the poor. I think law in Singapore is very equal. You will be represented, no matter what. And lawyers cannot earn so much like the US that leads to prohibitive fees. Furthermore, there is an option of mediation, which cost virtually nothing. Beat this!
Social, cultural and economic rights
All said and done, very little of so call 'rights violations,' at least after the infamous Mao's cultural revolution, infringed on these. If religion such as Buddhism is no longer correctly practiced, it is due to the people own choice and current interests. After all, I have not seen any true religion suppressed. Even Christianity can be preached in China.
Of all, these sets of rights are perhaps more respected in eastern countries than the west. Especially that of economic rights. Some US Olympians have to spend their own money for training. In China, the Olympians drew salary. Per Capita income of Singapore is now higher than US. In Singapore, I can find supper at 2am in the morning and breakfast at 4am. Buses and trains arrive every 5mins or less. In US and even some Europeans countries, such rights do not even exist. In Singapore, driving license can be processed immediately. In US, it takes up to 3 months. In Singapore, you can complain to the state about the lack of street lamps, in the US, you have to live with it. In Singapore, ministers meet with residents weekly to talk about problems. Yes you can setup an appointment with them. In US, where are the senators? I assume the only way to 'talk' with them is to organize a 500 men protest outside their office. They have a term for it - 'lobbying.'
Moving On
Chinese economy is growing at break neck pace, improving the standard of living quickly, while reporters still whining about 'rights violations.' If the journalists do care about the eastern countries, they ought to pay more attention to social change.
I do think both western and eastern system of governance has its benefits and problems. We talked about them sparingly in this blog. But you don't write so much in blogs! Western governance appears to result in more creative system. Eastern governance results in more efficiency.
"The Chinese are a proud people. They want freedom and greater rights, but they know they must fight for them from within. They know no one can grant them freedom and rights from afar."I pitied this girl whose father was hurt by cultural revolution. I do not condone that movement and I am suspicious if Mao contributed anything to China. But fight!? Since Athens, western countries really learnt how to fight. They have been fighting for centuries, even in endless crusades, senseless religious conflicts. Every democratic movements began with conflict and blood shed, almost like scripted movies. People come together. The regime do not agree at first, then violence. Eastern religions do not fight, and they are less interested in conflicts.
http://old.thejakartapost.com/detaileditorial.asp?fileid=20080809.E02&irec=1
I am not even sure of Chinese wanted that type of 'freedom.' I think the Chinese are practical people, they wanted another type of freedom, the one that is free from fear, hunger, poverty, and access to good life, job, education, and family. If I so condone the word, they are 'fighting' for it now. In a way of hard work and learning from the developed countries. Learning from Singapore even, in terms of developing a paternalistic society (state as a father, that help his children grow and takes care of them).
"But it was the removal of China from the list that drew the most attention. Was it because conditions have improved in China, because other countries have simply gotten worse – or because the Olympics will be held in Beijing this summer? Or is the US looking for ways to improve cooperation with Beijing on such issues as North Korea's and Iran's nuclear programs and the Darfur conflict in Sudan?" http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0313/p03s05-usfp.htmlI have no doubt one day the US will acknowledge China as respecting human rights. But behold, at that time, China has perfected its paternalistic system. China is efficient and rural areas received ample education and adequate infrastructure. Chinese are wealthy and technological advance. US and Chinese are economically reliant on each other. Then the world politics will see a different staging.
