The Netherlands' - outgoing - foreign minister, Maxime Verhagen, has welcomed Radio Netherlands Worldwide's Political Prisoners project, describing it as a great initiative. As he says in a video message, the more people who are aware of human rights violations, the better.
Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen is due to open the Human Rights & (New) Media conference on 19 April 2010. The organisers of this two-day event are the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Radio Netherlands Worldwide and True Heroes Films.
Mr Verhagen's speech:
"For many people in the world, human rights are something they take for granted.
They breathe freedom the way they get water from the tap – without giving it a thought.
For many others, however, the violation of their human rights is all they can think of.
Worldwide, millions of people are denied their most basic rights:
the freedom to express themselves,
the freedom to participate,
the freedom to live life to its full potential.
These human rights violations do not go unnoticed.
The victims resist.
As Samuel Johnson said, as early as the 18th century:
‘No government power can be abused long.
Mankind will not bear it.
There is a remedy in human nature against tyranny.’
And indeed, time and again in the course of world history, ordinary people have shown that they are capable of extraordinary deeds.
They have rebelled against their lot and achieved positive change.
Through their efforts, their idealism, their sacrifices, they have made the world a better place.
We must actively support these people.
Human rights defenders in all corners of the world must know that they are not alone in their struggle.
That we are with them, in spirit and in practice.
That’s why I welcome the initiative of Radio Netherlands Worldwide, the Dutch international public service broadcaster, to raise awareness about the plight of political prisoners around the world.
This website will provide a platform devoted to the fate of political prisoners, informing visitors of the latest developments, presenting individual cases and allowing an exchange of views.
I am convinced that the more people know about human rights violations, the harder it will be for them to persist.
In this day and age, information freely roams the world through the internet and other media. This website is only one example.
I hope it will generate an outpouring of solidarity that will help political prisoners around the world.
You can count on my support!"
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Een heel fijn bericht. Mooie woorden en prachtig gezegd. Alleen als in praktijk de Dalai Lama naar Nederland komt, haakt het kabinet waar hij deel van uitmaakt af en wil mijnheer Verhagen hem ironisch genoeg alleen in een religieus kader ontmoeten . Is dit de manier waarop wij onze verworven mensenrechten in praktijk brengen? Of dacht u dat China religieuze vrijheid wel respecteert? Ik denk dat u inderdaad niet zo vaak over deze rechten nadenkt. Of gelden al deze mooie woorden niet voor Tibetanen die op geweldloze wijze voor hun rechten opkomen? Mensenrechten alleen als hiet niet politiek gevoelig ligt en er geen financiele belangen op het spel staan. Ik vrees dat dat de werkelijke boodschap die u afgeeft aan China en de rest van de mensheid.
Very well said! Congratulations to the producers and team of the Political Prisoners project. Hope this voice reaches the ears of the brutal regimes and they release these people who fight for the rights of others. God bless all.
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