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A Matter of Rights |
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Civil and Political Rights |
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Click on title to play video (Windows Media Player required). |
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Human development is human rights -- Human rights
and human development share a common vision and purpose: to secure the
freedom and dignity of all people everywhere. While the twentieth century
saw great progress in achieving civil and political rights, there are
still many challenges left regarding social and economic rights. This
new century will require the building of institutions, laws, and an
enabling economic environment to secure fundamental freedoms for all.
(Asia-Pacific region)
2. Media - freedom and responsibility -- Since the fall of the Suharto government in Indonesia, there has been a virtual explosion in the number of new publications and media outlets. But despite greater legal freedoms, not everything is well with the media. Along with continued threats to their operations from political groups unhappy with criticism, Indonesian journalists are also under pressure because of poor salaries, cutthroat competition for audiences, and the increasing commercialization of the information business. (Indonesia) 3. Forum of the Poor -- We head into the streets of Bangkok to witness a spirited and yet peaceful protest made by the Forum of the Poor, a grassroots movement for change in Thailand. Since its formation in 1995, the Forum has emerged as a major platform for various groups representing marginalized communities like poor farmers, fishermen, and urban slum dwellers trying to get their voices heard in the corridors of power. The success of the Forum demonstrates that the first step towards the empowerment of the poor lies in their organization into a united group. (Thailand) 4. The freedom of the media -- Information and statistics can be powerful tools for creating a culture of accountability and for realizing individual human rights. The Asian and Pacific region has seen a notable increase in people’s access to information flows during the last decade. This report looks at one case in point - the state of a fledgling free media in Mongolia. (Mongolia) 5. "For the union makes us strong..." -- When the Asian economic crisis hit Indonesia in 1997, Jenab, an electronics factory worker, lost her job. Coming to her family’s rescue was not the government nor any charitable organization, but a unique income generation scheme run by the Indonesian Prosperous Workers Union or SBSI. Now a strong, mature organization helping thousands of unemployed workers, SBSI underscores why trade unions and trade union rights are a vital part of any democratic society. (Indonesia) |
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