The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted in 1948 by the United Nations. Therefore creating “a common standard of achievement for all peoples and nations […]” The United Nations count 192 Member States, which should mean that they all agreed, at some point, to follow and ensure the respect of the Declaration’s thirty articles. It is all very well in theory but how could this become a reality when not all Member States are democracies?

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights’ preamble, paragraph two, states that “Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people”. Thus, I chose to write about article 19 of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights. As a writer, it touches me more or less directly. As a thinker and reader, I react very violently to articles underlining the violation of freedom of opinion and expression in the world.

“Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.”

The European Convention about this article was ratified in 1952 in Sweden. Since 1992, one of the four ground rules defining Sweden’s democracy regards the freedom of opinion and expression. In a country where such freedom exists, one can wonder if there are limits to it and who enforces them.

In 1999, the freedom of opinion was pushed to the extreme, when Nazis acted on their beliefs and thereby violating at least the three first articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Sixty two Swedish Nazis were arrested and judged consequently for having applied to the letter their right to the freedom of opinion, yet going against all other aspects of Human Rights. As a result, Sweden’s population lived in a fearful state. Ultimately, Sweden’s four biggest newspapers reacted together for the first time and published the photos and names of the criminals as well as a full documentary on the events, therefore refusing to give in into fear. As I understand it, the newspapers acted as the voice of the Swedes and enforced the limits to the freedom of opinion. However, I cannot help wondering why one has to wait until the damage is done to see that Human Rights are respected. Where does one draw the line and who does it?

When it comes to Internet and article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, one can organize it in three categories. The first one, to which Sweden belongs, is self-censure. Is it really so or is it only a theory? The second one is called strong censure and Belarus is one of the many states that enforce it. The third one is total censure where Burma, for instance, (now called the Republic of Myanmar), has the monopole over the Internet. Indeed, anyone who possesses a computer must register themselves to the authorities.

The freedom of opinion and expression is inexistent in Burma, yet the country is part of the United Nations since 1948. It is probably the worst country when it comes to the respect of Human Rights and is considered the poorest country in the world according to “Human Rights Watch”. 2007 seven students “pro-democracy” were arrested and sentenced to harsh prison penalties for printing and distributing a poem called “Daung Man” that expressed opinions in favour of democracy in Burma, related “Reporter without borders”. As of today, I have not been able to find that particular text anywhere, nor have I found any new information about the condition of the students. All I found was a poem, with the same title “Daung Man”, published on a blog called “Burma Digest” and dedicated to the seven students. I wonder: what does it mean to sign the Universal Declaration of Human Rights if a state like Burma does not enforce it but rather goes entirely against it?

Between limitless rights to freedom of expression and opinion, and a total prohibition of such freedom, it is difficult to understand all the ramifications that article 19 explores. A total freedom shows that the worst in human nature surfaces therefore provoking the best in human nature to react. Unfortunately, the best does not show unless the worst has acted. I believe that in a world where so many differences of culture exist, as well as so many different people, power always overrules Human Kind’s good intentions. I am not saying that the Human Rights are obsolete, but rather that as long as power is more important than people, the Declaration of Human Rights is a very utopian theory that society cannot be without.

Sources:

• § Internet The United Nations: http://www.un.org
• § Internet: Blog Burma Digest, a magazine specializing in Human Rights Affairs in Burma: http://burmadigest.wordpress.com
• § Internet: Reporter without borders, http://www.rsf.org (2006.04.04 ”seven students arrested for publishing a poem”)
• § Swedish Newspaper: Expressen from november 30th 1999 ”Idag jobbar vi tillsammans: Avslöjade 62 svenska nazister och medlemmar i Hells Angels som hotar rättvisan”.
• § Swedish Newspaper: Aftonbladet (20000117, ”Alla får inte surfa” – journalist: Erik Bergin)
• § Book: ”De Mänskliga Rättigheterna” by Lars Ronnäs, 1995
• § Book: ”Mänskliga Rättigheter. En Introduktion” by David I. Fisher
• § Book: ”Vad är mänskliga rättigheter” by Hans Ingvar Roth, 2007.

Under kvällens ljus
Färgerna skiftar
Och himlen blixtrar…
Och från ögonen
Blir man varmare

Under hösten sol
Vinden lugnar sig.
Det står vatten still:
Då får man
Ett berg till.

Kan du höra
Tystnanden?
Kan du höra den
Som låter högt och mjuk.

Varma gula
Och kalla blåa
Blandar i solen
Tills man känner höst
Och glömmer kölden.

Kan du känna
Hur skönt det är?
Kan du känna
Hur glädjande det blev?

En höst i Sverige…

© Claire Perez Ekman

Europe’s new studio album “Last Look at Eden” was released today in Scandinavia… and if, like me, you are lucky enough to have come by this disc… you might have reacted just as I did: “uh? what? cool… wow!”

Granted, this is not much of a review and I am about to explain myself…  Well, John Levèn said about “Last Look at Eden” (on the band’s official website): [...] “an album that shows that Europe are still getting better and better.” Mic Michaeli says something interesting too: “The 70’s meets the millennium.“

After listening to the music many times, and pondering about how the band feels about it… I finally decided that I liked… loved it. More importantly, I think I can for once explain better why.

It took me a few years to have “Start from the dark” growing in me and it had become probably my favourite album… I liked “Secret Society” at once, but it was over-shone by its predecessor… I know, weird… Today, I know I will not be able to say that anymore about “Start from the dark“…

“Last Look at Eden” took its place. Referring to what Mic said, I do agree… I heard on this album, many old Europe sounds (from before the split up). For instance, I heard a little bit of “Yesterday’s News” on track 11: “Run with Angels“ ; a bit of  “A long time coming” & “Government Man” on track 3: “Gonna Get Ready” ; a bit of “Prisoners in Paradise” as an overall old lingering sound. Keep in mind though that these are very light touches of “old Europe” that I hear (you may not agree!)  The difference today is that the music is richer and the lyrics… well, let’s say that they suit me way better today.

 So, when Europe came back, they threw everything that made them different from how they used to be (and play) as musicians. It took them two albums to explore only their new musical possibilities. “Last Look at Eden” brings back the Europe spirit that we all know and mixes it with their musical and human growth. To quote John Levèn again: “Europe are still getting better and better.” Finally, when one listens to “Last Look at Eden“, one could say sometimes: “that riff could have come from a Deep Purple or a Richtie Blackmore’s album”, hence probably the quote from Mic: “The 70’s meet the millenium“.

Still on the band’s official website, Joey Tempest is talking about John Norum’s bluesy feeling when he is playing the guitar… though to tell you the truth, I had never noticed that aspect (no offence John)… On “Last Look at Eden“, John is playing with more feelings and bluesy touch (on some tracks) that I have ever heard him play before. That was one of the hugest and greatest surprises I had from the album.

Another surprise hit me as I played on though… curious as I was, I followed the progress of the album making on Europe’s blog… However, I had forgotten all about the Czech national symphony orchestra (which they use on four tracks)!!! That was a fantastic surprise to my ears, not only because of the orchestra and not because I noticed the orchestra at once (I actually did not). I grunted like in the beginning of this review when I first heard track 8: “No stone unturned” (I here a little bit of Ritchie Blackmore there or Rainbow) ; the melody is one that I had not been accustomed to with Europe despite the influences I hear in it. They all play marvelously, though I must say Mic’s keyboard playing made me listen even more closely. In short, one of their best creations if you ask me.

Of course, they serve us very well indeed with the powerful and emotional ballad “In my Time” that ends the album majestically. Just like “The Prelude” followed by the title track “Last Look at Eden” just make us want more, which the rest of the album gives without a glitch.

What can I say except that Europe outdid themselves with “Last Look at Eden“… there are absolutely “no stone left unturned“. It is musically brilliant, where old and new spirit of the five musicians combine perfectly. Highly anticipated album for which the expectations are, no doubt,  just as high all over the world… “Last Look at Eden” is no surprise, yet it has probably become one of the best surprises of the 2009 rock scene.

Europe mp3 store (non-Scandinavian customers might have to wait though).

/Claire

One more thing… this is hell of an album to work out with at the gym!