Security is important for Freedom
By Kamala Sarup
"The message of the United States is clear: one cannot have ballots and bullets in a democratic process. Intimidation
and violence have no roles whatsoever in the democratic process of any country." said US Assistant Secretary of State
for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Barry Lowenkron, while in Nepal. At the end of a four-day visit, he asked
government to draft and pass election laws and provide security across the country.
He said he admitted that choosing security over democracy involves values, which cannot logically be deduced from facts.
People want based on the facts and personal values but I never could understand the abstractions of violence. Can't they
(violent groups) think of anything or anyone new? Still locked into obsolete thinking about the people and, what is
worse, promulgating their views. Reason doesn't help when people are utterly convinced that a system must be accepted
without thinking further. Peace with security can point out the consequences, but that is all, as I said above.
Unthinking acceptance is what the violent groups want?
As for myself, I don''t want any arms groups to interfere with people's freedom, human rights and their peaceful pursuit
of system and don't disseminate against people and their families. I do want any arms violent groups out of people's
life. I do want people to fight for their security. I do expect people, and women to have access to equal opportunities
for employment.
Violence is very difficult to eradicate. Because that violent political system would be like saying Stalin is better
than the Czar or Hitler is better than the Kaiser. Violent groups activities are going on with impunity, and this fact
is slowly penetrating the brains of the people. Like everything, time, conditions, capacities are required.
What should be the role of people? I say focus on "what can or could be" would be more realistic. The question of role
of the people is valid. Until the real issue is decided, the question of role is not realistic. So what form of
political system should be adopted?
Some important reasons to support security with peace are follows: It must be based on the will of the people. Or it
should be made to practice what it implies in words.
What roles and powers should the legislature, the executive and the judiciary be given in security? Specifying roles and
powers is not an issue, ensuring the independence of these three parts of the government and insuring checks and balance
is the need.
Thus, people want a real democracy, human rights, permanent peace with security to protect their future.
*************
Journalist and Story Writer Kamala Sarup is associated and writes for mediaforfreedom.com. She is specialising in
in-depth reporting and writing on Peace, Anti War, Women, Terrorism, Democracy,and Development. Some of her
publicationsare:Empowerment in South Asia, Nepal. Prevention of trafficking in women through media,(Book) Efforts to
Prevent Trafficking in for Media Activism(Media research). Two Stories collections. Her interests include international
conflict resolution,cultural communication,philosophy, feminism, political, socio-economic and literature.Her current
plans are to move on to humanitarian work in conflict areas in the near future. She also is experienced in community
development.A meeting of jury members held in Geneva attributed Kamala Sarup,with an Honurable Mention of International
Award for Women"s Issues.