Copy of Speech at Global Human Rights Welcome Bowral 12.12.07

Global Human Rights Torch:
Corbett Gardens Bowral. 12th December 2007.

I would like to acknowledge that we are meeting on Gundungarra land. Respect to all Elders past present and future.

The Mayor has sent his apologies for not being able to attend today and has asked me to represent Council on this occasion.

Therefore, on behalf of the Wingecarribee Shire Council I would like to welcome all those special guests who have come into Shire to be a part of this event and to also thank all the residents of the Wingecarribee for being here today.

A sincere thank you also goes to the “Coalition to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong” for organizing this global event, and a very special note of gratitude in particular to Gary Hastie and John Solomon who have worked hard to bring this event into the Shire.

In a Country like Australia, we tend to take our freedoms for granted. We live our lives largely forgetting that not every country experiences such egalitarian rights.

Although our Government have not yet issued an official apology, or come to terms with our own past and present treatment of Aboriginals, we do as a nation, support and value freedom of speech and the right to express our religious and cultural beliefs irrespective of what they are.

Although our previous government has attempted to corrupt and stifle some of those basic rights, we are still a free society and draw a great deal from our diverse and multicultural society.

As a nation we recently expressed that freedom and asserted our National rights again on the 24th of November and convincingly made a collective statement, which saw a new government swept to power. That same freedom could just as easily replace the government at the next election should we feel the need to do so.

These freedoms we take for granted. We forget that we owe a great deal to those founders who put them into place. We sometimes also conveniently forget that there are human rights atrocities occurring all over the world. Sadly the majority does not spend a great deal of time thinking about these things.

Whether it is exploitation of women and children who are sold into the sex or slave trade, children exploited in sweat shops or innocent people, victims of conscience who have been incarcerated and tortured for their belief, it is generally easier for us to turn a blind eye and not to ask questions. But if we continue to do this, in conscience, what right have we to call ourselves human?

How long can we look away, believing that ignorance is an excuse? How long can we offend the basic principles of humanity and allow human rights atrocities to continue. How much longer can we justify military and economic interventions, which kill and corrupt in the name of economic advantage? How long can we continue to live in economic ignorance and bliss at the expense of human dignity, compassion and environmental responsibility?

This event today focuses attention on some of the atrocities that still occur in the world. The treatment of people in China under the Communist Party’s rule continues to oppress and suppress many basic human rights. If claims about the treatment, persecution and torture of Falun Gong practitioners in China are proven to be true it is undoubtedly a horrendous indictment of political arrogance and a sinister abuse of power.

Along with the Olympic games come, the global family’s opportunity to put China’s human rights policies and track record under the microscope and to ask for answers to long standing questions relating to human rights abuses in Tibet, Myanmar and China itself. Not only is it an opportunity to seek answers, it is also an opportunity for China herself to take the slur away from her name.

If China indeed wishes to continue to prosper from global economies and be a part of our global family she must prove now, when the eyes of the world are upon her that she values and respects her brothers and sisters and cares about her reputation on matters such as human rights.

Never has there been such an ideal opportunity for China to prove to the world that she does indeed have and a social conscience and to allow freedom and dignity to evolve beyond persecution, fear and oppression. If China is to truly become the Great Economic beacon she wishes to become, she must reawaken her sense of justice and empathy.

It is my prayer that this Human Rights Torch may shine upon the hearts of the entire global community and light the way for a new path in China, based on the principles of freedom, beauty human dignity and compassion.

I would like to offer you a quote from His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama to take away with you.
"All human beings, whatever their cultural or historical background, suffer when they are intimidated, imprisoned or tortured . . . We must, therefore, insist on a global consensus, not only on the need to respect human rights worldwide, but also on the definition of these rights . . . for it is the inherent nature of all human beings to yearn for freedom, equality and dignity, and they have an equal right to achieve that." -- 14th Dalai Lama
Friends, it is my hope that this truth may begin to find its way into every heart and mind in the world.
Thank you.