The right for individuals to have citizenship is a human right according to the Universal Declara... more The right for individuals to have citizenship is a human right according to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, yet people are being denied citizenship rights because individual countries have their rights (as sovereign states) to determine who is deserving and who is not of their citizenship. At the same time, there are principles in international law that safeguard the human rights of stateless people, yet there are countries that commit human rights abuses against them as if human rights are only applicable to citizens and not to everyone. It is difficult to conceive that some countries tend to observe and protect the human rights of its citizens only and that those individuals that are not considered citizens are left vulnerable to their abuses. Unfortunately, this is the reality that millions of people live every day worldwide. Such instances lead to this question; is citizenship a human right or a privilege in the 21st century?
In recent years, various political leaders in Malaysia have tried to incorporate the Shariah - or... more In recent years, various political leaders in Malaysia have tried to incorporate the Shariah - or Islamic law - as part of their legal code. The country's political leaders supporting this reform insist that the implementation of Shariah law only applies to the Malay community and other Muslim minority groups. Other (non-Muslim) ethnic groups are not subjected to Shariah law. In reality, the implementation of Shariah law in Malaysia provokes a polarization of the general population in the country. It affects the relative equality that has been achieved by the different ethnic groups since the implementation of the New Economic Policy in 1970. Such a measure creates the existence of two parallel systems of justice where one is exclusive to the Muslim population and where the interpretations of the law do not necessarily provide the appropriate justice for that sector of the population. Muslim women, as the primary symbols of culture, tradition, and Islamic nationalism, are particularly affected by these policies.
The right for individuals to have citizenship is a human right according to the Universal Declara... more The right for individuals to have citizenship is a human right according to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, yet people are being denied citizenship rights because individual countries have their rights (as sovereign states) to determine who is deserving and who is not of their citizenship. At the same time, there are principles in international law that safeguard the human rights of stateless people, yet there are countries that commit human rights abuses against them as if human rights are only applicable to citizens and not to everyone. It is difficult to conceive that some countries tend to observe and protect the human rights of its citizens only and that those individuals that are not considered citizens are left vulnerable to their abuses. Unfortunately, this is the reality that millions of people live every day worldwide. Such instances lead to this question; is citizenship a human right or a privilege in the 21st century?
In recent years, various political leaders in Malaysia have tried to incorporate the Shariah - or... more In recent years, various political leaders in Malaysia have tried to incorporate the Shariah - or Islamic law - as part of their legal code. The country's political leaders supporting this reform insist that the implementation of Shariah law only applies to the Malay community and other Muslim minority groups. Other (non-Muslim) ethnic groups are not subjected to Shariah law. In reality, the implementation of Shariah law in Malaysia provokes a polarization of the general population in the country. It affects the relative equality that has been achieved by the different ethnic groups since the implementation of the New Economic Policy in 1970. Such a measure creates the existence of two parallel systems of justice where one is exclusive to the Muslim population and where the interpretations of the law do not necessarily provide the appropriate justice for that sector of the population. Muslim women, as the primary symbols of culture, tradition, and Islamic nationalism, are particularly affected by these policies.
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