If one is to refer to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 1948, one might argue that same-sex marriage is part and parcel of human rights. I beg to differ.
While agreeing that the 1948 UDHR serves as a benchmark, there can never be an absolute consensus on the meaning of human rights.
Human values have undergone rigorous and wide spread changes although the basic tenets of universality does remain intact. The practices of some of these rights have to take religious and cultural practices of a nation into consideration.
Owing to religious beliefs, same-sex marriage is not permissible in Malaysia and in the majority of countries in the world.
As stated earlier, the UDHR is the backbone of the International Bill of Human Rights, which states that:
"All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood. Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration without distinction of any kind, such as race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status."
However, there can never be absolute freedom for, such liberty will only lead to anarchy, unless the government places limited restrictions to certain rights, individuals can abuse these rights and create moral degradation.
The Western concept of rights differs from that of Asian countries. Asian culture places society above self while the West places the rights of the individual before the interests of society.
Some rights are certainly not right whilst some human rights are certainly not humanely just especially so when seen in actual context and practice.
Rights must always be seen in the larger context of the equality of life for the community and not just pegged on the ideals of UDHR.
"Seksualiti Merdeka" is certainly against efforts to develop a caring, moral and persevering personality. It is an abuse of the basic tenets of human rights.
13 comments:
Tuan Syed,
You are absolutely right. There is no such thing as absolute freedom - unless one is living in Utopia.
As stated by philosopher Jean Jacques Rousseau who lived in the 17th century " a man is born free, but everywhere he is chain." Even though the statement was made against a backdrop of absolute monarchy,it is still relevant to-day i.e to countries practising democracy like Malaysia.
And before anyone could accuse the government for enacting laws or taking actions that allegedly impinge on human rights, he should take cognizant another statement from Rousseau;
"The right which individual has to its own estate is always subordinate to the right which the community has overall."
ZMS
...contd
Hence in so far as the Seksualiti Merdeka, they have no right legally and morally to exercise their freedom as it is prejudicial to the interest of the vast majority of the population.
ZMS
Let us all fight for the gays and lesbians and for get about the sufferings of other nations (especially in Muslims countries!)..
Well done UN! Clearly you are the protector of all human rights!
Tuan Syed,
It is interesting that you brought up the declaration of UDHR.
It think this declaration is created so that each human being no matter which country he/she residing is free from discriminations in what ever form.
I agree with you that there are certain limits that have to drawn in respect to human right.
I cannot imagine here in Malaysia, people having same sex marriage, people acknowledging themselves gays or lesbian openly as what had occurred in America.
The dynamics of our society is such that these types of freedom are not permissible.
Personally, in my opinion, human beings are not perfect. There are multitude of disorders in human being that can fill up pages of psychology book.
There are people who have issues or problems in respect to sexuality.
However, what is clear is that "Sexuality Merdeka" contradict the values of our society and our religion. Therefore the government is right not to allow it to go on.
I think what is simpler is the case of Mat Rempit in Penang asking their human right for a race track.
It will not take a rocket scientist to decide whether they deserve their rights with reference to UDHR.
Orang Johor
To anonymous 8.34pm,
I think the good of UDHR outweigh the bad. There are countries where people have been deprived of their fundamental human rights.
One of the reason why troubles currently brewing in the middle east is that the right to vote and to choose leaders have not been given in most of the middle east countries.
It is not really the UN that is the culprit but the US. Recently US vetoed against the full membership of Palestine in the UN.
US is the one that pull the strings behind the curtain.
Orang Johor
Yes, Orang Johor, some countries preach lofty tenets of rights while at the same time they are at liberty to declare war on others with our even having to abide by the very standards of international law.
As Tun Mahathir said, the right of might has surfaced in place of the right to deliberate via international norms.
Rights must always be seen in the larger context of the quality of life for the community and not just pegged on the ideals of 1948.
All major religions opposed sam-sex marriage and not only Islam, as wrongly said by Anonymous 8:34 pm.
correction due to typo...first paragraph please read...without even having to abide.....
Tuan Syed,
First it is China and now Russia, the head of the eurozone's bail out fund seeking help to rescue member countries facing debt crises.
By western standard, these two countries do not have good human rights record. So what is exactly human rights and how does one reconcile with the need to develop the country economically ?
ZMS
Tuan Syed,
Refering to your comment,
"Rights must always be seen in the larger context of the quality of life for the community and not just pegged on the ideals of 1948".
Under the subject of Ethics and Rights,
Utilitarianism which was developed by Moral Philosopher Jeremy
Bentham, describes "Actions are right to the degree that they tend to promote the greatest good for the greatest number" or in other words, the good of the many outweigh the few.
However, I think at the lower level, each individual should have the fundamental rights as a living human being such as the right to survive, the right to choose of one'e destiny and the right for one's dignity.
By the way Eid Mubarak to you and family.
Orang Johor
All living in a dream world and blind towards those born who are not perfect.
So, since you and others hate them so much since they don't behave like you with your holy ideals, why not send all of them to be shot or hanged? Make a law and shoot or hang them whoever behave differently.
And just pray everyday that you, yourself do not live long enough to one day find out or see that your own siblings or children or grandchildren is also born with such defects in them.
Tau erti kesian tak pada mereka ni yang dilahir cacat dan dikutuk siang malam?
Anonymous 10:46 PM, anda nampaknya tidak faham apa yang kami bincangkan. Kami memperkatakan mengenai 'same-sex marriage' atau perkahwinan sesama jenis, bukan mengenai khunsa, mak nyak atau pondan atau insan cacat. Oleh itu, cacatan anda mengenai erti pengertian dan seterusnya terkeluar daripada topik perbincangan.
anonymous 1046am,
I would appreciate if you could undertand the "content" of discussion before commenting. Many thanks.
MSF
sorry...anonymous 1046 PM..
=)
MSF
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