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Aung San Suu Kyi's Political Wisdom for Sri Lanka - Huffington Post

I was very privileged to attend Aung San Suu Kyi’s historic speech to both Houses of Parliament in Westminster Hall last week. Delivered with characteristic dignity, it blended an elegant commentary on recent developments in Burma with some rich reflections on the nature of democracy itself, and concluded with a call for us to work together, combining political wisdom of East and West, “to bring the light of democratic values to all peoples”.

Without diminishing its potency for Burma at this time, much of Daw Suu’s speech was applicable far beyond Burma’s borders. In particular, I was struck how some of her own political wisdom seemed to resonate with another south Asian country which attracts considerable international attention.

10 months ago  1 note

The Unsung hero of Pakistan's Struggle for Pluralism - Huffington Post

Earlier this month, in Sacred Heart Cathedral, Lahore, a memorial service took place for one of Pakistan’s unsung heroes. Among the hundreds in attendance was a disparate group of politicians, top military brass, top educationalists, human rights activists, marginalised members of religious minorities, and veteran campaigners against Pakistan’s notorious blasphemy laws. This is the story of the extraordinary man whose life they were celebrating.

10 months ago 

Internet freedom is a human rights lynchpin - appvocacy

The onus is on the international human rights community to stay focused on clearly defining and strongly promoting the right to freedom of expression online as a lynchpin for human rights advocacy.

But even more than that, it has to keep innovating to make the most of its potential — which has surely been far from realised yet.

11 months ago 

“We continue to encourage members of the Constituent Assembly to take care that fundamental rights are enshrined fully in the new constitution”

“There is a sense of optimism in Nepal about the prospects for finalising the constitution under the leadership of the new Prime Minister, Baburam Bhattarai.  Whether that is possible within a three-month deadline remains to be seen.  However, we continue to encourage members of the Constituent Assembly to take care that fundamental rights are enshrined fully in the new constitution, including freedom of religion, which would be restricted under the current proposals.”

- CSW

1 year ago  3 notes

“Nepal has a historic opportunity to find a new way of promoting a peaceful climate of pluralism”

“Nepal’s new status as a secular republic entails a shift in the place of religion in society and politics, and we are encouraging the Constituent Assembly to take this very seriously as they draft a new constitution and penal code.  Nepal has a historic opportunity to leave anti-conversion measures behind, and find a new way of promoting a peaceful climate of religious pluralism through dialogue and protecting the rights of all its citizens.”

- CSW

1 year ago  3 notes

“Being Untouchable is both a hand of warm friendship to Dalits, and a cry of protest about their suffering”

“Being Untouchable is both a hand of warm friendship to Dalits, and a cry of protest about their suffering. Developed in partnership with Dalit community leaders, who allowed us to share in the privilege of solidarity with their people, it is a plea to let Dalits tell their own story, express their own aspirations and forge their own future. St Paul’s Cathedral is one of London’s most iconic institutions, and by highlighting the lives of a people once called ‘untouchable’ and often treated little differently today, it is amplifying the key message that being untouchable has no place in our world.”

- St Paul’s Cathedral

1 year ago  1 note

Understanding conversion - Kuensel

There has been much talk across Asia about proselytising and conversion, including in Bhutan recently, and especially in relation to Christians. However, the debate has become rather skewed

2 years ago  3 notes

What future for Pakistan's religious minorities? - The Times (£)

Shahbaz Bhatti was at the forefront of the clash between competing ideologies about the very identity of Pakistan

2 years ago 

Shahbaz Bhatti, Pakistan’s Minister for Minorities Affairs, tragically assassinated in Islamabad today, 2 March 2011.  He never achieved that to which he dedicated his life - the reform and eventual repeal of the blasphemy laws.  But he tried, bravely and with indefatigable spirit, and his life blessed many. His assassination shows once again the utter moral bankruptcy of those who opposed him.  RIP London, UK © David Griffiths

Shahbaz Bhatti, Pakistan’s Minister for Minorities Affairs, tragically assassinated in Islamabad today, 2 March 2011.  He never achieved that to which he dedicated his life - the reform and eventual repeal of the blasphemy laws.  But he tried, bravely and with indefatigable spirit, and his life blessed many. His assassination shows once again the utter moral bankruptcy of those who opposed him.  RIP

London, UK

© David Griffiths

2 years ago  11 notes View high resolution

Aung San Suu Kyi's Political Wisdom for Sri Lanka - Huffington Post

I was very privileged to attend Aung San Suu Kyi’s historic speech to both Houses of Parliament in Westminster Hall last week. Delivered with characteristic dignity, it blended an elegant commentary on recent developments in Burma with some rich reflections on the nature of democracy itself, and concluded with a call for us to work together, combining political wisdom of East and West, “to bring the light of democratic values to all peoples”.

Without diminishing its potency for Burma at this time, much of Daw Suu’s speech was applicable far beyond Burma’s borders. In particular, I was struck how some of her own political wisdom seemed to resonate with another south Asian country which attracts considerable international attention.

The Unsung hero of Pakistan's Struggle for Pluralism - Huffington Post

Earlier this month, in Sacred Heart Cathedral, Lahore, a memorial service took place for one of Pakistan’s unsung heroes. Among the hundreds in attendance was a disparate group of politicians, top military brass, top educationalists, human rights activists, marginalised members of religious minorities, and veteran campaigners against Pakistan’s notorious blasphemy laws. This is the story of the extraordinary man whose life they were celebrating.

Internet freedom is a human rights lynchpin - appvocacy

The onus is on the international human rights community to stay focused on clearly defining and strongly promoting the right to freedom of expression online as a lynchpin for human rights advocacy.

But even more than that, it has to keep innovating to make the most of its potential — which has surely been far from realised yet.

“We continue to encourage members of the Constituent Assembly to take care that fundamental rights are enshrined fully in the new constitution”

“There is a sense of optimism in Nepal about the prospects for finalising the constitution under the leadership of the new Prime Minister, Baburam Bhattarai.  Whether that is possible within a three-month deadline remains to be seen.  However, we continue to encourage members of the Constituent Assembly to take care that fundamental rights are enshrined fully in the new constitution, including freedom of religion, which would be restricted under the current proposals.”

- CSW

“Nepal has a historic opportunity to find a new way of promoting a peaceful climate of pluralism”

“Nepal’s new status as a secular republic entails a shift in the place of religion in society and politics, and we are encouraging the Constituent Assembly to take this very seriously as they draft a new constitution and penal code.  Nepal has a historic opportunity to leave anti-conversion measures behind, and find a new way of promoting a peaceful climate of religious pluralism through dialogue and protecting the rights of all its citizens.”

- CSW

“Being Untouchable is both a hand of warm friendship to Dalits, and a cry of protest about their suffering”

“Being Untouchable is both a hand of warm friendship to Dalits, and a cry of protest about their suffering. Developed in partnership with Dalit community leaders, who allowed us to share in the privilege of solidarity with their people, it is a plea to let Dalits tell their own story, express their own aspirations and forge their own future. St Paul’s Cathedral is one of London’s most iconic institutions, and by highlighting the lives of a people once called ‘untouchable’ and often treated little differently today, it is amplifying the key message that being untouchable has no place in our world.”

- St Paul’s Cathedral

Understanding conversion - Kuensel

There has been much talk across Asia about proselytising and conversion, including in Bhutan recently, and especially in relation to Christians. However, the debate has become rather skewed

What future for Pakistan's religious minorities? - The Times (£)

Shahbaz Bhatti was at the forefront of the clash between competing ideologies about the very identity of Pakistan
Shahbaz Bhatti, Pakistan’s Minister for Minorities Affairs, tragically assassinated in Islamabad today, 2 March 2011.  He never achieved that to which he dedicated his life - the reform and eventual repeal of the blasphemy laws.  But he tried, bravely and with indefatigable spirit, and his life blessed many. His assassination shows once again the utter moral bankruptcy of those who opposed him.  RIP London, UK © David Griffiths

Shahbaz Bhatti, Pakistan’s Minister for Minorities Affairs, tragically assassinated in Islamabad today, 2 March 2011.  He never achieved that to which he dedicated his life - the reform and eventual repeal of the blasphemy laws.  But he tried, bravely and with indefatigable spirit, and his life blessed many. His assassination shows once again the utter moral bankruptcy of those who opposed him.  RIP

London, UK

© David Griffiths

Aung San Suu Kyi's Political Wisdom for Sri Lanka - Huffington Post
The Unsung hero of Pakistan's Struggle for Pluralism - Huffington Post
Internet freedom is a human rights lynchpin - appvocacy
“We continue to encourage members of the Constituent Assembly to take care that fundamental rights are enshrined fully in the new constitution”
“Nepal has a historic opportunity to find a new way of promoting a peaceful climate of pluralism”
“Being Untouchable is both a hand of warm friendship to Dalits, and a cry of protest about their suffering”
Understanding conversion - Kuensel
What future for Pakistan's religious minorities? - The Times (£)

About:

Writings, photographs and events connected with these roles/projects:

Christian Solidarity Worldwide - South Asia Team Leader

CSW is a human rights organisation, specialising in freedom of religion

Marcus Perkins - about | David Griffiths

David Griffiths has a background in research, writing and advocacy, and works with Marcus on humanitarian projects

Pipe Village Trust - Trustee

PVT is a charity making human rights films

SOAS - MA Religions (2008-10)

MA with a focus on the interaction of religion and nationalism in south Asia, awarded with distinction

Being Untouchable - a project with Marcus Perkins for CSW

An intimate series of portraits of the lives of Indian Dalits

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