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UNHCR Expresses Concern On Amos Yee’s Conviction

BANGKOK (22 JUNE 2015) – The United Nations Human Rights Office for South-East Asia (OHCHR) is concerned about the conviction of 16 year-old Amos Yee for uploading remarks and images critical of the late Lee Kuan Yew, the founding Prime-Minister of Singapore. He is due to be sentenced on 23 June 2015. Amos was remanded on 2 June for three weeks after he refused probation and is currently detained in Changi prison where, according to his lawyer, his physical and psychological status is deteriorating.

Amos was convicted on 12 May 2015 on two charges, one of wounding religious feelings under section 298 of the penal code and another for circulating obscene imagery under 292 (1) of the Penal Code. Amos had pleaded not guilty to both offences. OHCHR understands that at the request of the prosecution, Amos is currently being assessed for his suitability for the Reformative Training Centre for a period of at least 18 months.

OHCHR is concerned that the Reformative Training Centre is akin to detention and usually applied to juvenile offenders involved in serious crimes. The District Court of Singapore in a recent case involving a juvenile recognized that the Reformative Training Centre is incarcerative in nature and should be imposed cautiously.

While recognizing the Singapore authorities concern with public morality and social harmony, OHCHR is concerned that the criminal sanctions considered in this case seem disproportionate and inappropriate in terms of the international protections for freedom of expression and opinion.

While Amos himself has refused the option of probation, OHCHR appeals to the Singapore authorities to give special consideration to his juvenile status and ensure his treatment is consistent with the best interests of the child, the principle that lies at the heart of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which Singapore is a party.

OHCHR urges the Government to review the conviction of Amos Yee and the prosecutors to drop the demand for sentencing him to the Reformative Training Centre. OHCHR calls for the immediate release of Amos in line with its commitment under the UN Convention on the Rights of Child. OHCHR also hopes that the judiciary will exercise its authority in the protection of human rights including the rights of the child.

ENDS The Regional Office for South-East Asia in Bangkok represents the High Commissioner for Human Rights within South East Asia. The High Commissioner for Human Rights is the principal human rights official of the United Nations and heads the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, which spearheads the United Nations’ human rights efforts .

Source: http://bangkok.ohchr.org

June 23, 2015
ABC Admits Error In Judgment In Allowing Former Terrorism Suspect To Join Q&A Audience

The ABC has admitted last night’s Q&A program “made an error in judgement” in allowing former terrorism suspect Zaky Mallah to join the Q&A audience and ask a question in a statement issued by the ABC this morning.

In last night’s episode, which was debating proposed changes to citizenship, Mallah said Coalition statements, such as those made by MP Steve Ciobo, were the reason young Islamic people were preparing to leave Australia and fight for Islamic State, after raising a question on what might have happened if politicians, not courts, had decided his case when he was charged and confined under Howard government terrorism laws in 2003.

Mallah later tweeted: “I would pay to see that Minister dumped on ISIS territory in Iraq”.

.@steveciobo says he would have banished a person for making threats of terrorism. #QandA http://t.co/zPeOcUMbbB

— ABC Q&A (@QandA) June 22, 2015

ABC Television director Richard Finlayson admitted the program “made an error in judgement” in allowing Mallah to join the audience of the the show, saying the circumstances of his appearance will be reviewed by the ABC.

“In attempting to explore important issues about the rights of citizens and the role of the Government in fighting terrorism, the Q&A program made an error in judgement in allowing Zaky Mallah to join the audience and ask a question,” he said.

“Mr Mallah has been interviewed by the Australian media on a number of occasions. The environment of a live television broadcast, however, meant it would not be possible for editorial review of the comments he might make prior to broadcast, particularly if he engaged in debate beyond his prepared question.”

Mallah was acquitted of two terrorism offences in 2005 but pleaded guilty to threatening to kill ASIO officials.

The ABC has this morning come under fire, from a number of quarters, for its decision to put him on-air.

Among the critics is News Corp columnist Rita Panahi who tweeted how, in January of this year, Mallah had said that she and fellow female columnist Miranda Devine were “whores” who should be “gangbanged on the Sunrise desk”.

The ABC confirmed it will now review the process which led Mallah to be brought onto the program but Finlayson also said: “Q&A will continue to raise issues that are provocative and controversial. There is always risk in undertaking live television. That is the nature of the Q&A program since it first aired in 2008.

“As has been the case in the past on Q&A, circumstances will happen that are not anticipated. The critical question is whether risks could have been managed and the right editorial judgments made in advance.

“The circumstances of Mr Mallah’s appearance will be reviewed by the ABC.”

Miranda Ward and Nic Christensen

The full statement:

In attempting to explore important issues about the rights of citizens and the role of the Government in fighting terrorism, the Q&A program made an error in judgement in allowing Zaky Mallah to join the audience and ask a question.

Mr Mallah has been interviewed by the Australian media on a number of occasions. The environment of a live television broadcast, however, meant it would not be possible for editorial review of the comments he might make prior to broadcast, particularly if he engaged in debate beyond his prepared question.

Tony Jones correctly and immediately ruled a statement made by Mr Mallah as out of order.

Q&A will continue to raise issues that are provocative and controversial. There is always risk in undertaking live television.That is the nature of the Q&A program since it first aired in 2008.

As has been the case in the past on Q&A, circumstances will happen that are not anticipated. The critical question is whether risks could have been managed and the right editorial judgments made in advance.

The circumstances of Mr Mallah’s appearance will be reviewed by the ABC.

Source: http://mumbrella.com.au

June 23, 2015
Amos Yee Set To Find Out Details Of Reformative Training Report

Teenage blogger Amos Yee is set to appear in court on Tuesday morning after spending three weeks in remand. He will find out if he is suitable for reformative training.

The 16-year-old had been found guilty on May 12 of making remarks intending to hurt the feelings of Christians in a video as well as uploading an obscene image.

District Judge Jasvender Kaur had called for a report on June 2 to assess if Yee is physically and mentally suitable for reformative training.

Yee was found guilty of deliberately hurting the feelings of Christians in the YouTube video, which criticised Singapore’s founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew. The obscene image had the faces of Mr Lee and former British premier Margaret Thatcher superimposed on it.

The prosecution had called for Yee to be sent for reformative training, as he had not cooperated with his assigned probation officer.

The defence, however, argued this was a disproportionate punishment for Yee’s offence.

On Monday, the United Nations Human Rights Office for South-east Asia called for Yee’s immediate release.

In a statement, the Bangkok-based Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) urged the Singapore Government to review his conviction. It also asked that prosecutors drop their demand that Yee be sentenced to a stint at the Reformative Training Centre (RTC).

Reformative training is a rehabilitative sentencing option for young offenders aged under 21 who are found to be unsuitable for probation.

A stint at RTC lasts between 18 and 30 months, and includes structured rehabilitation programmes, foot drills, and counselling. Offenders will not have contact with adult prison inmates.

Although Yee has been in remand for three weeks without access to any telecommunications devices, his Facebook page has been constantly updated since last Thursday.

The posts, the origins of which remain unclear, centre largely around his grievances towards life in Changi Prison, such as the lack of sunshine or privacy in his cell.

Source: www.straitstimes.com

June 23, 2015
Ramadan Rush Sees Mega-Rich Arab Shoppers Flock To London

LONDON, June 22 — Inside an upmarket London department store a genteel Middle Eastern woman glides by, trailing flowing robes and the distinctive smell of oud, a perfume popular with Arab women.

Outside, petrol fumes fill the air and motors roar, as young Arab men rev the engines of some of the world’s most expensive cars at a stop light.

Welcome to London’s Ramadan rush, when thousands of wealthy Arabs descend on the British capital in the weeks before and after the Muslim fasting month, packing hotels and fuelling a shopping frenzy.

“It’s a prestige thing. This is a place to show off your wealth, supercar or your clothes. You want to go where you’ll be seen, and London is where all the Arabs are,” said Fahad al-Ajmi, a 32-year-old Kuwaiti.

“I know Kuwaitis who take out loans just to come to London and show off. How crazy is that?”

Qatari shoppers spend an average £1,432 (RM8,365) per transaction — the top amount among Middle Eastern visitors — closely followed by tourists from the United Arab Emirates at £1,120.

‘Part of the retail calendar’

Premium department stores and top brands have been quick to accommodate Britain’s most well-heeled shoppers.

At Selfridges the number of women wearing hijabs almost outnumbers other customers.

The premier London department store is one of several to adjust opening hours or specially train staff to serve Arab customers.

Global Blue, which provides British shops and hotels with cultural training, has a list of Dos and Don’ts. Among those: Do address the oldest man when speaking to a group. Don’t give them a thumbs up — the gesture is interpreted in some Arab countries as obscene.

The company says Middle Eastern consumers are the top-spending foreign shopper group in Britain, representing 32 per cent of total international outlays to date this year, with Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and UAE occupying four of the top five national spending slots.

Ramadan, which follows the lunar calendar and ends with the Eid al-Fitr celebration, this year starts on Thursday, with many Gulf Arabs holidaying before or after to stock up on gifts and outfits and escape searing temperatures back home.

“Much like the January sales and Christmas rush, Middle Eastern visitors celebrating Eid are now part of the retail calendar for many luxury brands,” said Dave Hobday, managing director of Worldpay UK, a payment processing company.

London, with its extensive transport links, global language, relative proximity, mild climate and historical ties to Gulf states, has become the destination of choice for many Ramadan tourists.

Several Gulf countries were former British protectorates, and their citizens have for decades come to London to shop, study, receive medical treatment and invest, most prominently in the city’s booming property market.

“We like the English. As someone from the Gulf, we’re used to them. We even like their food,” laughed Khaled Abdullah Ghanem, 42, a Kuwaiti on holiday, adding that Britain is generally more welcoming towards Arabs than France or the United States.

Supercars and ‘carparazzi’

The economic boom Arabs create isn’t restricted to high-end shopping and hotels, with firms that hire supercars or transport them to London from the Gulf reporting brisk business.

Young Arabs driving around London’s most exclusive shopping streets in Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and other ultra-expensive vehicles, often bearing Middle Eastern number plates, have become an annual fixture.

The cavalcades of costly automobiles are a nuisance to some, but are welcomed by car enthusiasts — or “Carparazzi” — who stalk the streets around posh department stores like Harrods and Harvey Nichols for rare vehicles, and share videos and photos of them online.

“Ramadan is a busy time for us… Quite often the whole family will travel, sometimes with security too. We have used Rolls Royce and Bentleys for some individuals and often use Mercedes Vianos for the security team,” said a spokesperson for Signature Car Hire, which offers prestige vehicles to clients including the UAE and Qatari royal families.

The Lamborghini Aventador, one of the world’s most expensive supercars, rents for £1,995 pounds a day. However, many Gulf visitors prefer to bring their own vehicles, paying as much as £12,000 for return shipping according to media reports. ― AFP-Relaxnews

Source: www.themalaymailonline.com

June 23, 2015
Why A Devout Catholic Is Fasting During Ramadan

As the executive director of Interfaith Worker Justice, a national organization that builds power with workers through faith-rooted organizing and advocacy, my faith and values are what ground me and call me to do this work. I’m Catholic and feel deeply connected to my faith, which has been a constant presence in my life, and is the core to who I am.

I know that the joy, hope and love I feel within my faith is no different from the joy, hope and love others experience within their own faith tradition. I feel this way because we share a set of common core values, such as respect, dignity, dedication, sacrifice and love.

It is because of these shared values that I’ve decided to join my Muslim friends as they fast from sunup to sundown during this holy month of Ramadan. I also join them in embracing the blessings one receives during such an important time of fasting, charity, prayer and introspection.

Fasting during Ramadan is not just about fasting from food but also from the things that can take us away from being our best selves, such as gossip, insults, lies, negativity & disrespect for others. Ramadan helps us look inward by challenging and encouraging us to be better people, by being more conscious and aware of our place in the world and how we relate to those around us.

In my Catholic tradition I have fasted many times and have seen the benefits of choosing to go without in order to focus on what’s inside. Fasting helps make space for other things to come into greater focus, such as a deeper connection with those less fortunate, a greater emphasis on my relationship with God and being more disciplined about the choices I make.

Similarly, fasting during Ramadan is as much about filling ourselves with prayer, empathy and love as it is about fasting from the things that separate us from our true nature. It is through Ramadan’s intentional sacrifice of food that we are fed an abundant spiritual buffet.

Ramadan also gives us an opportunity to be more charitable to others. But it’s more than just about giving alms to the poor — it’s about broadening our awareness and understanding of the systems that make and keep them poor. More importantly, it is about deepening our connection with those less fortunate.

We practice real empathy and compassion by reaching out and seeking to understand why people struggle, and acting on it. “Why are they hungry?” “Why are they homeless?” By asking these questions we also challenge ourselves to think of what we can do: “How can I do the most good for the most people?” “How do I impact the real problem and make ongoing change happen?”

Fasting and Prayer

As someone once told me; “Fasting without prayer is just going hungry.” How true! Many Muslims pray fives times a day, and especially during Ramadan. Prayer feeds the soul and helps sustain the meaning behind the fast.

Several years ago, I was walking through the Minneapolis airport and saw a young airport worker go into a corner and pull out a small rug to pray. He wasn’t trying to draw attention to himself, but he caught my eye anyway. I was moved by his act of devotion, discipline and love. I then asked myself, “Why don’t I do that?” “Is my faith enough of a priority that I go out of my way to pray to make room for it?” Inspired by the young Muslim man’s public display of faith and prayer, I began to pray the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy at 3 p.m everyday, regardless of where I was. Now I also include my morning prayers, Rosary and evening prayers each day. The young man’s powerful example has inspired and challenged me to deepen my own faith and be a better Catholic.

It is through sharing experiences and practices that we discover we have more in common than we have differences. One of the many values that we have in common is a shared sense of respect for workers and the value of the work they produce. Across faith traditions, the teachings are clear: respect workers and treat them fairly, as we would want to be treated, or even better. Kind of sounds like a golden rule doesn’t it? For good reason, as we all do better when we all do better.

So as I begin Ramadan in honor of the values that it represents, I am filled with humility and gratitude for this blessed opportunity to deepen my relationship with God and those around me. It will give me chance to turn down the noise and focus on what’s most important in my life and once again, help me to be a better Catholic.

Source: www.huffingtonpost.com

June 23, 2015