The recognition of war as an alternative means of solving disputes runs contrary to the principles of human rights. The justification of any war is relative. The shorter Oxford English Dictionary defines war as “any hostile contention by means of armed forces, carried on between nations, states; the employment of armed forces against a foreign power or against an opposing party in a state. Alexander Nikitin describes war as a critical stage of contradiction between political actors in the form of violent armed struggle. Most often than not, war is just a show off, of who is more powerful. There will always be war and terrorist attacks if leaders of strong nations trample upon the humans rights of the weaker ones. Terrorism is the aftermath of war and war is the aftermath of terrorism. Terrorism is hard to define. The riddle of defining terrorism is that it is very hard to be differentiated from acts of war, “just” or “unjust”. The United Nations definition makes it clear that “all war crime will be considered acts of terrorism”. The American Department of Defense defines terrorism as “the unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population or a segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives.” Terrorism goes beyond this; a government could carry out acts of terrorism on its citizens. Again, the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary defines terrorism as “Government by intimidation; the system of the Terror.”
War and Terrorism are the same since the death of innocent people (i.e. the citizenry) is the aftermath of either of them. War and terrorism cannot be eradicated but it can however be reduced with the full recognition and enforcement of the following human rights. The right to self determination, the right to peace, the right to life, the right to freedom of thought, cognizance and religion, the right to privacy, the right to information and education, the right to movement, the right to freedom against discrimination based an colour, race, sex, or religion or language, political or other opinion, the right to expression and the right to an economic or political ideology.
As earlier stated, it is difficult to say which right is the most important because of the unique circumstance that might be surrounding the violation of such a right. The rights highlighted above will be explained briefly but not in accordance with any particular sequence or importance;
1. The right to freedom against discrimination based on colour, race, sex or religion or language, political or other opinion: if a strong nation or a person in authority is going to trample upon the rights of a weaker nation or its citizens, its reason will be based on either colour, race or religion or language, political or other opinion. Article 2 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948 provides for this right. The violation of this right goes unnoticed but it is the first step to the violation of the other rights.
2. The right to self-determination: This is the most controversial of all this rights. It is easier obtained with the support of super powers and readily crushed with the lack of consent from the super powers. The people of Bangladesh were given this right in 1971 and the Biafra people in Nigeria and the Katanga people in Congo were however denied this right. This right seems to depend in the “fortunes of war and strategic interests of great powers”. The full recognition and protection of this right will inevitably reduce the horrors of war and terrorism.
3. The right to a political ideology: Democracy does not have a specific definition but it seems that every time a strong nation invades a weaker one usually for a selfish interest, it will claim that its reasons are based on establishing democracy in such a country. Arnold Toynbee in “study of History” said that industrialization and democracy increased horrors of war; he writes that democracy not only was unable to prevent wars but also strengthened the institution of war and he describes democracy as an “instrument of nationalist fanaticism”. If the establishment of either communism, capitalism, democracy or any other political opinion is the reason why political leaders invade weaker countries and then sit there without the intention of not leaving such a country, the horrors of war and terrorism is yet to reach its peak.
4. The right to peace and the right to life: when there is war, lives will be lost and there will be no peace but with the recognition of this rights, a country, its president, its parliament and its people will think twice before making a declaration of war.
5. The right to privacy: The right to privacy is often recognised as an individual right but in this context it is a nation’s right to privacy. Super powers are fond of sending undetectable spy aircraft to other countries, this is an infringement of their right to privacy, and such acts are sometimes the source of a nuclear war between the two nations.
6. Right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion: As much as this right is provided for in various municipal and international laws, it is frequently trampled upon. The most recent is the ban of Muslim headscarf by the French Parliament and government. Such infringement sometimes leads to violence or even acts of terrorism.
7. The Right to education: Education can be formal or informal. Education is very important and governments of different nations should make educational facilities and institutions accessible to the citizen and aliens alike
8. Right to information: The right to information too is very fundamental. The citizens of a country should have access to the affairs of its country and what goes on in its public service. For example, Americans have a right to know about the investigation carried out by its government over the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
9. The right to expression: Freedom of speech and expression could have negative or positive results whether upheld or violated but of importance is its credibility and authenticity. The freedom of speech and expression should be given to everybody without discrimination of any form.
10. The right to freedom of movement: Freedom of movement especially in respect to immigrants is usually subjected to municipal laws. However, the right to emigrate should not be curtailed by municipal laws.
Kifayah Motilewa AbdulQuadri
P. O. Box 3927, Sapon,
Abeokuta,
Nigeria.
Home Phone: 234 – 39 – 240118
234 – 80 – 42140709
E-mail: [email protected]om