by F R Chowdhury
Right from the time of Magna-Carta, the system of parliamentary democracy gradually shaped up in the United Kingdom through trial and error method. I say so because Britain does not have a written constitution. Most of the things got its place through careful arguments, justification and public opinion. Then they continued as precedents and examples. Today Britain can be proud of its parliamentary democracy. Rest of the world considers it as an example. Similarly democracy (presidential system) shaped up in the United States from the famous speech of Abraham Lincoln – “The Government of the people, by the people and for the people”. Both patterns of democracy remain as model of democracy. Being the pioneers Britain and the United States have attained a position of respect and they often discuss human rights situation in other countries. In either of the democratic system the important ingredients remain – human rights, freedom of expression, equality, justice and rule of law. However, certain incidents are bound to put a dark shadow on their own record of human rights.
People detained in Guantanamo Bay as terrorists include even persons under 18. In exchange of US announced financial rewards the tribal warlords of Afghanistan simply sold some innocent persons to US. In most cases US authorities found it difficult to frame any charges against them because of lack of witness and evidence. Some 8 detainees died in the prison. Mr. Shakeer Ahmed, a Saudi national but UK resident has recently been released after 13 years of imprisonment without any charge. These actions by the United States are clear violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The United States lost its credibility as the guardians of human rights.
Another recent incident has put some more questions on this issue. Tuesday November 24, 2015 a young lady (US citizen) named Kameelah Rasheed was in New Ark, NJ international airport to take a flight for Istanbul for her holidays. She went through regular process of check-in including security checks. But for some reason that was not enough. She was called twice more for similar checks. That is not the end of the story. After she already boarded the aircraft, she was taken out of the aircraft for further checks and questioning. She missed the flight though she was then booked on another flight.
The incident was indecent and humiliating. She was taken out of the aircraft in front of 200 other passengers and others working in the airport as if she was the greatest criminal or terrorist in the world. Nothing can compensate the insult and humiliation. Such public display of discrimination and insult amounts to violation of one’s human rights. It all happened in the country that regularly admonishes many developing countries on human rights matter.
Obviously there are many questions. Was it because she was black? Was it because she was Muslim? Was it because she was wearing a head scarf? Was it because she was travelling to Turkey? None of those justify such harassment. Most people think that there is serious attitude problem with those in the law enforcement agencies. They need better training otherwise the image of guardians of democracy and human rights will be further tarnished.
London, 01-December-2015 <fazlu.chowdhury@btinternet.com>