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August 01, 2006

Quote of the Day: Aung San Suu Kyi

 

 

Some, particularly ruthless dictatorships seeking to absolve themselves of their unattractive human rights records, have argued that notions of individual liberty and human rights for all and especially for women and children are purely Western in origin and cannot take into account the cultural differences in non-Western LDCs (less developed countries).

 

So it’s best to lay this to rest with a quote from a Burmese national who would know about “national culture” being used to “justify the policies and actions of those in power”:

 

It is precisely because of the cultural diversity of the world that it is necessary for different nations and peoples to agree on those basic human values which will act as a unifying factor...the values that democracy and human rights seek to promote can be found in many cultures. Human beings the world over need freedom and security so that they may be able to realize their full potential.

 

- Aung San Suu Kyi, Burmese political activist and 1991 Nobel Peace Prize recipient.

 

 

Posted by Martin at August 1, 2006 05:32 PM

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