In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
MASSACRE OF HUMAN RIGHTS BY USA
[Shamim A Siddiqi, New York]
INTRODUCTION: The issue of
human rights is the most sacred “cow” of Western societies. It is superbly
revered in diplomatic channels and is given top most consideration to give
political recognition to an entity, while especially dealing with the
underdeveloped countries of Asia, Africa
and Latin America. European countries and the USA
are its greatest champions. They use it as a criterion to judge the political
atmosphere of a country as to whether it is free, democratic or being governed
by despotic rulers who least care for human rights. Restricted availability of
human rights in Turkey
is the main bone of contention towards the consideration of her membership to
European Common Market. It is lingering for about a decade and may continue to
be so for another decade before it is accepted to the European Union. They are microscopically watching her
progress in that field. The application of UN membership of South
Africa was kept in abeyance till the
apartheism was not abolished altogether from its body politics. The
Commonwealth Organization has rightfully withdrew its recognition of Pakistan
when General Perveez “occupied” it under a coup in 1999 and it is still not
willing to accord it membership to Pakistan as democracy and human rights are
not fully restored in the country and Musharraf does not give up his military
uniform.
These are the “teeth” of the
“white” elephant that are only for show. His real teeth are generally not
visible. They are inside the “mouth” for use while eating. They use the outward
trunk [apparent teeth] for their political maneuvering at national and
international levels. They are used discriminately for the protection of their
respective national interests where every thing is justified and tolerable even
the massacre of human rights if the rulers serve their national interests. In
this respect, the role of the United States of
America is most miserable both at home and
abroad.
HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION VISA VIS THE USA: The Constitution of the USA guarantees
most of the human rights to its citizens that resonate only in the Charter of
human rights that were administered in the Islamic State established in Medina by
Rasulullah (S) and religiously continued to be effective during the time of the
first Four Caliphs - Abu Bakr, Omar, Osman and Ali [RA]. In other words the
constitutional guarantees of the USA, to a great extent, are the replica of the
Covenant of Medina, declaration of human rights by Rasulullah (S) at Arafat
during his (S) last Hajj in 632 AD and the sum total directives that were given
to Muslim advancing generals to observe during and after war in lands that were
ceased for promulgating justice, peace and human rights preservation that were
denied both by the Persian and the Roman Empires of the time. Equally, these
constitutional guarantees are well protected and preserved by the Independent
Judiciary of the USA.
It made the USA
a safe heaven for the oppressed, the politically tortured individuals,
persecuted minorities on religious grounds and the suffering have-nots around
the world. In sequence, this suffering humanity at large rushed to take asylum during
the last two centuries in the virgin lands of the new world that is called the USA.
The credit goes to our forefathers who tried their best to make the USA
as a “heaven on earth” but the vested interests and the Neo-Cons conservatives
have now turned it virtually into a “hell”.
With the growth of foreign
relation in the aftermath of First and Second Great Wars, America
started to adopt double standard towards the promotion of human rights. While “maintaining”
the requisite standard at home, its relation with newly-acquired independent
states of Asia, Africa and Latin
America became that of “convenience” and “opportunist” in nature.
Its priorities were changed. Preservation and protection of human rights became
its second or no priority at all. It started supporting the dictators,
undemocratic and coup-oriented military regimes, especially of Muslim world.
From Jakarta to Casablanca,
hegemoniously USA
supported every regime that was ready to tow down its policies, was eager to
serve its interest, promote its liberal values and preferred to be the “yes-man”
of America.
These tyrant regimes were massacring human rights at every place but the USA
kept “mum” or “murmured” only in a very low tone. The suffering humanity every
where have no choice but to blame America
for this gross neglect, generating only “hate” for Uncle Sam. Thus, America
became the main instrument in augmenting the human rights violations in the
sub-human living condition of the underdeveloped world.
AFTER EFFECTS OF SEPTEMBER 11, 2001: At home, the American people are very conscious of their human rights and its
judicial system zealously protects it with few lapses here and there,
especially in cases of A-A community and other Asian minorities. Arbitrary
killing by police is found rampant. Treatment in jails with prisoners is very
often inhuman. Religious intolerance was visible at various places. Harassment
or discrimination on account of color or race is common at work places, leading
to litigation in courts for getting redress. Color barriers are still visible
at many places, especially in predominantly habited “white” pockets of the
country. However the situation became
worst in the aftermath of the tragedy of September 11.
It is still uncertain who did it.
No judicial enquiry ever conducted to ascertain this most important aspect of
the tragedy and perhaps the vested interests “occupying” Whitehouse and
Pentagon will never let it do lest their “own men” may be caught in the
process. As a result, the Muslim-American community is pin-pointedly “accused”
for this mishap. They are encountering the same treatment as happened to
Japanese-Americans in World War II. Though Muslims are not in a concentration
camp but for them the entire country has become a kind of “jail”. Hate-campaign
“incidents” against Muslims is now a daily affair. The Patriot Act was
hurriedly passed by our Republican dominated Congress in late 2001. Its “sword”
is now hanging not only on the heads of Muslims but every American citizen
feels the burnt of it. The privacy of all is in danger. Any individual can be
put behind the bar or detained for indefinite period on some fake, false and undeclared
“whimsical” grounds without any judicial inquiry or obtaining any judicial remand
from the court. Mr. Ashcroft is acting like the Pharaoh of his time and the “arrogance”
of President Bush is augmenting it. Thus, the entire country has been
transformed into a
”police state” as that of Saudi Arabia
of King Fahad.
Hundreds of innocent people are
suffering for years together in the concentration of Guantanamo,
Cuba and many hundreds
more in Jail in this country without any judicial inquiry and police remand, a
gross violation both of our constitutional rights and the legal system of the
country. Thanks to our Supreme Court that has recently in its historic decision
nullified the entire process of intimidation, detention without trial and
wrongful confinement being perpetuated by President Bush and his attorney
general, Mr. Ashcroft. Military enquiry of Guantanamo
detainees has confirmed that no charges can be framed against most of the 550
prisoners at that camp. Ohio GOP Chairman Robert T Bennett has recently
commented that “Muslims have some legitimate concern with regard to Patriot
Act.” Presidential candidate Senator Kerry has pin-pointedly said that, if he
is elected, he will overhaul this [draconian] Act. President Bush, in fact, has
hijacked the entire process of human rights and brought the country to some
barbaric age. Restoration of human rights at home and its championing abroad
should be the top most priority of the Presidents and the Governments of the USA.
If not, the country will loose its most important attraction for oppressed to
come over here to mitigate the grievance of human rights abuses rampant in
undemocratic regimes around the world.
We all have the legitimate right
to nurture the hope that the
forthcoming elections on November 2 may change the fate of the nation that is
still “fresh and young” to play its historical role in building new hopes for
the suffering humanity and may become a leading voice to restore the human
rights that have been usurped by the opportunist leadership and dictators
around the world through the tacit “approval” of the USA. Let us hope for the
best but prepare for the worst.
Shamim A Siddiqi
October 20, 2004