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The Burmese government has released 651 prisoners, amongst whom are political prisoners detained since 1988. Although this release is to be welcomed, it has to be remembered that there are probably many more political prisoners that continue to languish in jail. Estimates based on disappearances of activists and official reports of past detentions place the number of possible detainees at between 1000 to 1500. The Association of Political Prisoners in Burma has estimated that more than 1500 prisoners have been detained for political reasons. This release of prisoners is a step in the right direction. Hopefully, the Burmese government will continue down the road to democracy by releasing all of its political prisoners. Meanwhile, I read something that was said by the US President that I couldn't help but be amused about. He was referring to a telephone conversation that he had with Aung San Suu Kyi when he was in Indonesia 2 months ago: "In Indonesia, I spoke about the fl...

In continuation of my earlier blog entry where i was analysing the Ministry of Law's response to the IBA report, I was planning to do an analysis of paragraphs 7 & 8. These are the relevant paragraphs: 7. The human rights allegations in the Report also have no substance. Singapore had responded in detail to them in our 9 April response to the draft report. Singapore, like nearly all countries, subscribes to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Human rights are interpreted and implemented according to the specific histories, cultures and circumstances of each country. Every society must find and decide the appropriate balance between rights and responsibilities for themselves. Human rights groups in IBAHRI have closed ranks with other Western human rights NGOs to prescribe for Singapore and all new countries, especially China, Western norms of liberal democracy as the only way to bring stability and prosperity. They believe that free market policies cannot succeed without...

Happy Birthday to Nelson Mandela. As a teen, I was greatly inspired by the South African struggle against apartheid. What a colossal struggle and what an amazing feat against all odds. Mandela is an inspiring icon of our times. What I most appreciate about South African story is the Truth and Reconciliation Commission set up to heal the wounds of the people. Instead of allowing a cycle of violence to be perpetuated; instead of calling for retribution; instead of unleashing a lynch-mob, the post apartheid leaders embarked on the path of forgiveness and healing. An Amazing stroke of political genius. Happy 90th Birthday, Nelson Mandela. The following is a list of quotations from Mandela: Let freedom reign. The sun never set on so glorious a human achievement. For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others. A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination. The greatest glory in living lies...

The First African slaves were introduced into what is today the United States in the year 1619. In 1641, Massachusetts legalised slavery. In 1808, the American Congress abolished the slave trade. In 1865, slavery was abolished In 1868, Afican Americans received full citizenship In 1870, African men received the right to vote In 1909, the NAACP was formed In 1948, the US Army was desegregated In 1963, the famous speech by Martin Luther King... 'I have a dream' (one of my personal favourites) In 1964, the Civil Rights Act In 1965, the Voting Rights Act In 1968, to quote from U2.... Early morning, April 4th... A shot rings out in the Memphis sky... Free at last... they took your life. They could not take your pride... Martin Luther King was assassinated. 40 years later... In 2008, Barack Obama has become the presumptive Presidential nominee for a major political party. History is sometimes very poetic... It is exactly 200 years since the slave trade was abolished. The Democra...