Laws Regarding Freedom of Expression Research Paper

Laws Regarding Freedom of Expression - Research Paper Example   It is evidently clear from the discussion that the international law provides a three-part test that is useful in assessing limits on freedom of expression. On various occasions, the international courts responsible for overseeing international human right treaties have elaborated the three-part test through judgments. In addition, national courts have also been useful in elaborating the exact meaning of the test for limitation of freedom  of expression. The right to freedom of expression is assured in exact terms by the article 19 of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, and the article 19 (2) of International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The three regional human rights treaties; the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ rights, the American Convention on Human Rights, and the European Convention on Human rights give an assurance for freedom of expression on Articles 13, 9, and 10 respectively. There is no doubt that the right to freedom of expression is of great importance. During the first session of the United Nations General Assembly, it was made clear that the freedom of information is an essential human right. In addition, t was made clear that the right forms the basis of all the other rights. Laws regarding freedom of expression Regional court, national courts, and other related organizations across the world have reaffirmed that indeed the freedom of information is the foundation of all other rights. The Inter-American court of human rights has pointed out that freedom of expression forms the foundation for the existence of a democratic society. The other reaffirmation is from the European Court human rights, which points out that the freedom of expression forms an essential foundation for democratic societies. It further goes on to state that the right is among the basic conditions that are necessary for its development and that of human beings. The African Commission on Human and peoples’ rights points out that Ar ticle 9 is an indication that freedom of expression remains a basic human right. It further adds that the right is essential for personal development, individual political consciousness, and engaging in the performance of public affairs in the home country. One notable fact is that freedom of expression is not complete, and there are limitations to it provided by every system of law. The Article 19(3) of the ICCPR stipulates that limitations to the right to freedom of expression should be on grounds of respect of the rights or status of others. The other provision is on the grounds of protecting the national security, maintaining public order or protecting public health. International assurances on the right to freedom of expression have several essential features. To begin with, opinions are completely protected by Article 19(1) of the ICCPR. This implies that it is allowed to think evil, but giving expressions on evil thoughts warrants a sanction. The right to freedom of expressio n is for everyone. Therefore, it must be protected without any discrimination on the basis of gender, race, religion, color, language, political or factors that may lead to discrimination. The right also applies to ideas and information of any kind so long as the ideas or information may be communicated. The right also takes into consideration factually incorrect statements and opinions that seem to lack merit or offensive statements.

The Accidental Tourist- Macon's Change Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Accidental Tourist- Macon's Change - Essay Example The novel is mainly based on Macon Leary and how his metamorphosis comes about. How one deals with death and tragedy matters a lot, Macon loses his son in a shoot-out so he is clearly shown as a devastated man, the same also affects his marriage with his life and they decide to separate. The process of reconciliation is important, initially Macon does not want to be friendly with anyone, he is hostile and extremely upset because he loses his son but he later changes his attitude and adapts well in-spite of his great loss. Sarah and Muriel are the two love interests in the life of Macon, Muriel is his lover in the novel and Sarah is his wife. Some very interesting and important sequences of events happen in Paris. Macon gets injured in Paris in the novel, his back gets badly hurt and Sarah looks after him. He gets to juxtapose the qualities of the two women this time around, in doing so he finds that he is really uncomfortable with Sarah and he has to be someone else when he is with h is wife Sarah. On the other hand he finds life to be rosy when he is with Muriel; he is really comfortable when she is around. This makes a lot of difference in how events unfold in the novel, Macon also changes a lot after he notices such fine differences in the two women in his life. â€Å"In spite of Muriel’s difference from Macon in age, class, and outlook on life, once Macon has admitted to her his pain over Ethan’s death, he comes to realize, that she too, has been hurt in her life, that he is not the only person ever to feel pain.† (The Accidental Tourist) Macon changes and finds that even though Muriel is eccentric she is much different from Sarah and he falls for her. "Now that Ethan's dead I sometimes wonder if there's any point to life," Macon responds, "It never seemed to me there was all that much point to begin with."  (The Accidental Tourist) The way Sarah dealt with the loss of their child was extremely different from the way Macon dealt with t he loss, the differences between the two most important characters of the novel are very important to observe to be able to determine the extent of change Macon went through in the novel. â€Å"When Macon is with Muriel he is not detached and cold; he gradually comes to see other people in the world not as faceless mobs of people but as individuals doing the best they can to get through life† (The Accidental Tourist) Macon realizes the differences between Sarah and Muriel; he wanted to start a relationship with Muriel in-spite of their differences. There were quite a few differences between the two, their age was not ideal nor was anything else, both belonged to different cultures and Sarah had even pointed out the changes but they complimented each other well. â€Å"He had not taken steps very often in his life   . . . all seemed to have simply befallen him.   He couldn’t think of a single major act he had managed of his own accord.   Was it too late to begin?à ‚   Was there any way he could learn to do things differently.† (The Accidental Tourist) Macon finally realized that Muriel was the woman who brought the best out of him each day and he can be happy should he decide to stay with Muriel. His outlook towards life changed because of Muriel, with Sarah he was a very different person and with Muriel he was another person. â€Å"