Welcome to Week 9 of Human Rights Meditations. Every week we're examining an Article from the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Discover more about the series here. This series focuses on the time you dedicate to contemplation and participating in discussions via comments below & twitter (hash tag #hrmlak).
This week we're examining Article 9 of the UDHR.
Article 9: No individual shall be subjected to arbitrary apprehension, imprisonment or banishment.
Take time to go through the article above several times and allow it to settle. Whilst you contemplate, think about these points:
· What image popped into your head first?
· What was your reaction to the material?
· Consider your feelings about who you are relative to those around you.
· Consider the way you view the people around you.
· Consider your perspective on matters affecting the world.
Jot down the piece and place it somewhere visible so you'll notice it during the week. This will encourage you to sustain that reflection! Or, note down something that resonated with you during this meditation.
Time to start the conversation! Let's discuss what we think about each piece, what we're discovering about ourselves and the steps we're taking to align ourselves more closely with the Declaration. Remember that you can also join the discussion on twitter using this hashtag: #hrmlak
Let me start!
- What springs to mind for me is the question of racial identity: you'll notice how news coverage describes people as an "African teenager" or "middle-aged Asian male with a shaved head and tattoos"? Often when I'm watching, I wonder "Is his race actually relevant here?" It seems like this detail is sometimes superfluous and reinforces existing prejudices within society.
- I'm also considering capital punishment. I'm grateful Australia doesn't use it—I dread contemplating such weighty decisions being undertaken in practice. What standard of evidence ought to exist before making such a serious determination?
Kate xx
PS... no image today... my apologies!
PS... no image today... my apologies!
