The Right to Freedom of Expression
The Right to Freedom of Expression Everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression. This right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, through any media of their choice. The exercise of these rights carries with it special duties and responsibilities. Freedom of expression belongs to everyone and discrimination should not be made based on: nationalities, gender, religion, age, disability, genetic features, political opinion, or any other status. This freedom applies not only to that which you express yourself, but also to the information, opinions and ideas you choose to gather from other sources. These sources come in many forms, but all may express themselves freely. Expression also refers to opinion, however controversial or potentially offensive to a public figure. Only when an idea or opinion incites hatred or violence can it be restricted. The right to freedom of expression is not limited by national boundaries. States must recognize this right regardless of borders. People may express themselves in many different ways, including: print, visual arts, theatre, film, dance, and music. All are protected by the rights to freedom of expression. Some restrictions are allowed under international law, though censorship can only be authorized in very exceptional cases, subject to a fair hearing. States must respect, protect and fulfil the right to free expression by not interfering with it, as well as taking active steps to ensure people can enjoy this right. For example, minorities must be able to express themselves in their native tongue and participate in politics and services provide to others. The media must not be monopolized by states or private companies with vested interests.
Freedom of religion in Iraq
Islam is the official religion of Iraq, and the majority of the population is Muslim (97%). There are also small communities of Christians, Yazidis and Mandeans. Religion is deeply intertwined with daily life, government and politics of Iraq. However, the numbers of non-Muslim minority groups have declined dramatically in recent decades as the country has been riddled with sectarian tensions and conflict. This is reflected in the statistics of religious affiliations of Iraqi refugees in English-speaking countries; the majority of those who have fled and been resettled belong to minority religions in Iraq. For example, the 2011 Australian Census recorded that the majority of Iraq-born people living in Australia identified as Catholic Christians (35.7%), 32% identified as Muslim and 11.9% identified as Assyrian Apostolic Christians. A further 20.4% affiliated with some other faith and 1.6% claimed to be non-religious [1]. The majority in Iraq’s capital, Baghdad, and are otherwise mostly found in Iraq’s south and east. Sunnis live predominantly in Iraq’s west, center and north. Religious communities must seek official registration; however, this is not possible for the majority of communities because requirements are often unreasonable. The government has also officially recognized a Christian’s right to observe Easter and Christmas, offering to provide increased protection to churches on these holidays. Students can study religion in public schools and in many regions can choose to study a religion other than Islam, though most students report that there is pressure to study Islam. While there is no legal penalty for conversion from Islam, there are nonetheless laws and regulations preventing conversion from Islam. If one parent converts to Islam and have children who are minors, their children are required to convert to Islam as well. Since 2003, at least half of Iraq’s Christians have fled the country.Chaldean Christians, Assyrian Christians, Sabean Mandeans and Yezidis are fleeing their lands, seeking refuge in northern Iraq and in the Kurdish Region of Iraq or else becoming refugees across the border [2]
What are Human Rights?
Human rights are the basic rights and freedoms that belong to every person in the world, from birth until death, regardless of race, sex, nationality, language, religion, or any other status. They are relevant to all of us, not just those who face repression or mistreatment. These rights help protect our private and family life and allow us to enjoy free press. Human rights give us the right to form partnership with, and love, whoever we want to. We have the rights to demonstrate peacefully and the right to free speech. In fact, we have the right to education, the right to vote in free and fair election, the right to freedom of thought, religion, and finally the right to life which one of the most significant human rights. Human rights are the very fabric of every society, they protect our way of life. They guarantee our freedom and allow us to progress through our lives with fairness and dignity. These rights protect us, our families and friends all through our lives from birth to death without discrimination. So much of what we do in our everyday life depends on our human rights and we don’t always realize it. When we are ill as we grow older we all have the right to care this dignified and respectful. Finally, it can be said that human rights include the right to life and liberty, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to work and education, and many more. Everyone is entitled to these rights, without discrimination.