SAMAR FATANY Freedom of speech might be a controversial subject in the Arab world, however, universally it is recognized as the political right of every citizen to express his or her opinions and ideas. The right to freedom of expression is recognized as a human right under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and recognized in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Article 19 stipulates that, “everyone shall have the right to hold opinions without interference”, and “everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression. This right includes, freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of his choice”. Unfortunately, the universal concept of the freedom of expression is not appreciated or understood in many parts of the world and in the Arab world in particular. Many governments do not conform to its principles and view it with suspicion. They continue to suppress the right of free speech through censorship, restrictive media laws, and the harassment of journalists, bloggers and activists who voice their opinions against human rights violations or major concerns that need to be addressed. Meanwhile, a majority of the public also fails to understand that the universal right of the freedom of speech is not absolute and that it is subject to limitations. The exercise of these rights carries “special duties and responsibilities”, and may “therefore be subject to certain restrictions” such as “respect of the rights or reputation of others” or “the protection of national security or of public order, or of public health or morals”. People in the Arab world need to be aware that the freedom of expression does not give everyone the right to engage in inciting ethnic hatred, slander, obscenity, or copyright violations. It pains me to read some of the slanderous and toxic language that is circulated on the Internet against progressive women in Saudi Arabia, or against people with different ideas and convictions. There are people who continue to disrespect copyrights, violate the universal freedom of the Internet with slanderous literature and incite sedition and hatred against any culture or idea that does not conform to their own. Freedom of expression is governed by regulations that include laws against criminal insult and defamation and libel laws that forbid the spreading of rumors and inaccurate or fabricated information. Not many people in the Arab world recognize that rumors can pose a dangerous threat to the security of the people and the stability of their country. Young people are easily misled and often believe anything that they read on the Internet. The youth in the Arab world today are consumed by a web of false information that is planted by dangerous elements with an agenda. Meanwhile, another threat to the Arab and Muslim world is the incitement against Arabs and Muslim minorities. More needs to be done to advocate tolerance and to curb inflammatory and slanderous literature that is circulated inciting hatred and discrimination, jeopardizing world peace and universal coexistence. More needs to be done to advocate the true concept of the universal freedom of expression. Citizens should be aware that their governments are signatories to international treaties and universal declarations to protect their rights to freedom of expression and regulations that protect them against discrimination. Unfortunately, the majority of people do not have the wisdom or education to understand this concept and to comprehend how to benefit from it or implement it. They often abuse it and are not able to use it wisely. Meanwhile, universal campaigns have emerged advocating the right of freedom of expression. These campaigns involve international organizations and global activists who collaborate with local organizations to educate member states on key freedom of expression issues, and they advocate changes to media laws that restrict the ability of journalists to cover crucial issues and major concerns. International human rights organizations continue to monitor human rights violations, and they have created a new force that defends the victims of repressive regimes. Other activists are speaking out against policies that endanger the environment and against the negative impact of globalization policies that have contributed to economic crises and have harmed Third World countries and spread poverty around the world. Universal networks of activists continue to facilitate new ideas, and create partnerships opposing corporate control and global hegemony. The institutionalization of universal civil and political rights has mobilized a global civil society that cannot be silenced or stopped. The world has changed and governments have to conform to a new social order. World activists have mobilized and are exercising their right to speak out and expose repressive governments and human rights abuses. Resistance to hegemony and dictatorship has spread worldwide. All governments have to acknowledge that their citizens have the universal right to freedom of speech to express their opinions and ideas. It is time they listen more to what their citizens have to say. — Samar Fatany is a radio broadcaster and writer. She can be reached at [email protected]
