Dear Editor,

In recent years the issue of human rights has been the topic of many conversations, with more and more groups citing violation of their human rights. What exactly are human rights, however?

According to the United Nations: “Human rights are rights inherent to all human beings, whatever our nationality, place of residence, sex, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, language, or any other status.”

In the deliberate attempt to maintain one’s human rights, we ought to be careful as not to, in the process, encroach upon the rights of others. This exact scenario seems to be taking place at the moment with an irate flag-bearing group calling for the withdrawal of Queen Ifrica from an upcoming show based on the assumption that Ifrica made disparaging comments about their group.

I do not purport to speak on behalf of Queen Ifrica, but rather to express my views on the treatment meted out to the public for walking a straight line, for our freedom of expression as a people. What kind of message are we being sent by this group and its affiliates, and whose human rights are being infringed upon?

The United Nation Universal Declaration of Human Rights, under Article 18, states that everyone has the right to freedom of thought and freedom to practice their religion privately or publicly. Additionally, Article 19 states, everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression. This includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and communicate information and ideas through any media.

Queen Ifrica is being castigated for expressing herself as a human and as a Rastafarian, albeit she committed no offence. It is imperative that every Rastafarian slated to perform on that ill-named show withdraw their support. We must stand up against these reprehensible acts. It’s quite ironic how the ones crying for human rights are abusing the rights of others. Rastafarian perspectives on world affairs are quite known. Bob Marley, the universally accepted face of Rastafarian, would have vented more vitriol than Ifrica’s had he been alive today. Who will it be next to be banned? Maybe soon sanctions will be placed on our nation if we do not endorse their acts. We must stand up for our rights, stand up for what we believe, providing of course that our beliefs are morally and ethically sound. “How long shall they kill our prophets while we just sit aside and look?” The writing is on the wall.

George Campbell

george.ras73@gmail.com