A continual struggle for peace and justice
Of significance is that this exhibition also aims at raising funds for Just World Trust. This is a very creative way of fund-raising. Here I congratulate Syed Ahmad Jamal, our artist Laureate, for co-ordinating with several prominent Malaysian artists in laying out this exhibition. While creativity is second nature to artists, I commend all the participating artists for their commitment to the cause of universal justice. Of the 109 paintings exhibited some depict humankind's continual struggle for peace and justice.
Blueprint
At the close of the last millennium the United Nations in September 2000 adopted the Resolution now commonly known as the UN Millennium Declaration. This declaration sets out values and principles and resolutions for the present millennium.
Among the values, principles and resolutions are:
1) The determination to establish a just and lasting peace all over the world;
2) That no effort will be spared to free men, women and children from the abject and dehumanising conditions of extreme poverty to which more than a billion of them are currently subjected;
3) That no effort will be spared to free all of humanity from the threat of living on a planet undeniably spoilt by human activities and whose resources would no longer be sufficient for their needs;
4) To take concerted action against international terrorism and to accede as soon as possible to all the relevant international conventions;
5) To strive for the elimination of weapons of mass destruction, particularly nuclear weapons;
6) To spare no effort to promote democracy and strengthen the rule of law, as well as respect for all internationally recognised human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the right to development;
7) To combat all forms of violence against women and implement the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women;
8) That human beings must respect one another, in all their diversity of belief, culture and language. Differences within and between societies should be neither feared nor repressed, but cherished as a precious asset of humanity. A culture of peace and dialogue among all the civilisations should be actively promoted; and
9) To ensure the freedom of the media to perform their essential role and the right of the people to have access to information.
This is the blueprint for this millennium adopted by the 189 member States of the UN. They are lofty values, principles and resolutions. You will find these in previous international instruments. Many appeared in the 1993 Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action. The very fact that they continue to be repeated and reiterated is indicative of how many member states have not taken notice of their own pledges and implemented what they promised the international community.
International treaties snubbed
Following the Sept 11 carnage in New York and Washington certain states have called for a world conference on terrorism. A few have called for a consensus on a definition of terrorism. Another wants an inquiry into the root causes of terrorism.
Currently there are 19 global and regional treaties on international terrorism, 12 are international treaties. Of these the Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings adopted in 1997 has been ratified, as at June 13, 2001, by only 24 member states and signed by 59 states. The Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism adopted in December 1999 has been ratified by only three as at June 2001 and signed by 43. As on June 2001 Malaysia ratified only three and signed two. Malaysia's track record for ratification of international treaties, particularly on human rights, is dismal.
Well before Sept 11, an ad hoc committee of the General Assembly began work on a development of a draft international convention for the suppression of acts of nuclear terrorism. This same committee is also expected to address the question of convening a high-level conference under the auspices of the UN to formulate a joint organised response of the international community to terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
Can the 189 member states really agree on a definition of terrorism? Terrorism with all its manifestations is not just perpetrated by a person or group of persons or organisations. There is such a thing as state-perpetrated terrorism. Even if there is consensus on a definition, can states really reach consensus on what is state-perpetrated terrorism? Will they even admit the existence of state-perpetrated terrorism?
Be that as it may, so long as member states continue to ignore ratification of treaties adopted by the UN, there can never be a sustained world legal order. World peace will continue to be in jeopardy. Experience has shown that among those who ratified, some continue to flaunt them with impunity. States who have not ratified or flaunt the treaties after ratification must do some soul-searching. Aren't they undermining the world legal order and thwarting world peace?
National injustices
Amidst all these rhetoric and lip service for world peace by governments the national and international NGOs have a considerable role to play to mobilise public opinion on these key issues. A constructive and concerted involvement of NGOs, particularly the international NGOs, on these issues, can have a salutary effect on public opinion. Governments will think twice before acting contrary to public opinion.
Just World has a pivotal role in this sphere. It needs the support of all like-minded people who share its values and pursuits. I therefore call on those to support its cause. It needs resources, particularly financial resources.
While addressing injustices on an international level, let us not forget injustices on national levels. It is national injustices which if not arrested timely often transform into international injustices. Injustices anywhere must be seen as injustices everywhere. Let us not forget Anwar Ibrahim who continues to languish in prison; let us not forget those incarcerated under the ISA. The ISA was originally meant to suppress terrorism and protect the security of the state. It was never meant to protect the government in power.
There is a distinction between state and government. That distinction now appears blurred. There are administrative detention laws in some other countries. The difference is that in those countries there are adequate and effective checks and balances against abuse.
Our quest for peace and justice must include the call for their freedom. We must continue to do so until justice is done for them. The integrity of a state will ultimately be measured by the quality of justice enjoyed by its people.
On that note I have great pleasure in declaring open this exhibition and wish it every success.
PARAM CUMARASWAMY is the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers. The above article was his opening address for the art exhibition on the theme 'Manusia' or 'The Human Being' organised by the International Movement for a Just World. The exhibition at the NN Gallery, 53A & 56, Jalan Sulaiman 1, Taman Ampang Hilir, Ampang, Selangor ends this month.
