I support human rights as much as the next liberal citizen. Those who really know me know how true that statemet is.
However, two cases in as many days have twisted, in my eyes, the definition of human rights.
In 2000 nine Afghanis hijacked an aircraft to fly to London Stanstead in 2000. A four-day stand-off ensued which concluded peacefully when the hijackers surrendered and were then duly arrested. The nine men were convicted in 2001 for what is an internationally recognised crime. That was that, you would have thought, but no. A few years later their convictions were quashed and they walked free on a legal technicality. If that wasn't baffling enough, the nine men have now won a legal case to remain in the UK and claim asylum.
So hang on, run that by me again...
Nine men who held passengers and crew at gunpoint, forcing an aircraft to divert from an internal flight and fly to the UK now have the possibility to live freely in this country?
I have deep sympathy with the fact that they were fleeing one of the most brutal and repressive regimes in modern history, The Taliban, but it is absolutely no justification for such extreme actions. If you wish become a citizen of this country you should respect the laws of the land, and by breaking them in the most spectacular fashion, sorry guys you've blown it.
Another case this week saw a radical Muslim cleric start a legal battle against deportation, fearing persecution in Jordan where authorities seek to question him on terror charges. This cleric has been linked to al-Quadea and has been recorded inciting racial hatred, yet his lawyers are now suggesting that deportation breaches his human rights!
Yes, chuckle and smirk if you will, but I'm quoting Spock from Star Trek, oh yes, because they're really rather sound words when you stop and consider them.
"The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few."
Don't you think?
Friday, May 12, 2006
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2 comments:
These seem to be two very seperate issues. Yes in these cases, their human rights need to be defended if they are breeched BUT together with that, the issues concerning breaking the laws in Britain need to be addressed in the fullest way, giving the clearest possible message.
Our legal system must not allow one to cancel out the other.
Martyn
I agree. In it's simplest form, respect the laws of the country you wish to reside in. I deep have sympathy for anyone trafficked against their will or stowing away on the Channel Tunnel for instance, but to step through the door (as it were) holding people at gunpoint, or encouraging attacks upon your fellow citizens, no way.
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