Stand Up! Freedom of expression, Freedom of association, and the Freedom of peaceful assembly

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

“Globally, human rights remain under assault, whether by populist movements desperate to gain power or authoritarian governments eager to maintain it. Technology has opened up new frontiers for curbing people’s ability to express and share dissenting ideas.” World Politics Review, September 18th, 2020

What a crazy year it has been, and for some reason, I don’t think that it is going to slow down.

If I told you at the beginning of this year that we would be: socially distancing, wearing masks, unable to travel, cancelling large events, missing loved ones during the holidays, and closing down businesses many of us have worked hard in growing, you would have said to me, NO WAY!

Unfortunately, this has become our way of life.

Last weekend I attended my first protest here in Toronto, and I was moved by what I felt and saw. There is something about being around like-minded individuals that elevates your energy, and makes you feel less alone.

As many of our readers know, Toronto Caribbean Newspaper has taken a stance against the COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions. We believe that what is being done is completely against our human rights, and we have been interviewing highly regarded specialists in their fields who are also against the restrictions being placed on us by the global government system.

We do this because as a media source for the Caribbean community, we have to advocate for those who do not have a voice. We have to challenge the powers that be, and dissect their arguments, providing perspective for the community, and let the community know that we are fighting for them.

The past few months have seen a seemingly massive surge in protests globally. We are witnessing a huge wave of people taking to the streets to exercise their right to protest and demand change from those in power. Protesters are exercising their human rights and we are allowed to do so, especially when the reasons why people are taking to the streets are linked to human rights concerns.

Sadly, what we have noticed is a common theme. Protests have been met with an extremely harsh response from the global governments, which in many instances have amounted to gross violations of human rights: people being pepper sprayed, hosed down, shot, and arrested just because they are standing up for what they believe in.

The right to protest peacefully is not a crime. It is our human right to say what we want to say, as long as it is not infringing on the rights of others. It is really unfortunate that our governments have chosen to respond to these global protests in ways that are massively disproportionate, unwarranted, and unlawful.

I am writing this article to highlight the fact that people around the world are joining together, standing together for what they believe in.

I am writing this article so that those who feel alone in this fight can feel at peace knowing that they are not alone.

I am writing this article to show support to people around the world, who are bravely standing on the front lines for whatever cause they find important.

In saying that, let’s take a look at what is going on around the world.

Thailand
Students started the protest movement in Thailand, and it has attracted support from a wider cross-section of society. They organize their marches using organized online messaging platforms such as Telegram.

Even though they banned public gatherings of more than five people, the protestors made their voices heard loud and clear.
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Thailand’s Prime Minister has revoked emergency measures imposed on Bangkok following more than a week of daily anti-government protests in the nation’s capital and other cities.

It is because these students stood up for what they believed, that the state has reconsidered their actions, and it appears the severe situation which had resulted in an enactment of emergency decree.

Portugal
Hundreds of people in Portugal’s capital Lisbon took to the streets last week to protest against measures introduced by the government to mitigate the effects of COVID-19.
Protestors were heard shouting “freedom” and “truth” and carried banners saying “Down with the dictatorship,” “Masks create distrust,” and “fear is not a vaccine.”

Why did the people decide to stand up? It came after the Portuguese parliament approved a draft bill imposing mandatory masks in public spaces when the physical distance recommended by the government is not possible.

The use of a masks became mandatory for everyone over 10 years of age, and those violating the rule face a fine of between 100-500 euros.

Nigeria
The demonstrations in Nigeria began early this month with calls for Nigeria’s government to shut down the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, a police unit known as SARS. The squad was originally launched to fight crime, but somehow, they became the criminals.

At least 51 civilians have been killed in Nigeria’s unrest following days of peaceful protests over police abuses. These deaths have sparked international condemnation.

A new wave of demonstrations began in early October around the world (including Toronto), with protesters speaking out against the brutality of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad.

There have been at least 82 cases of torture, ill treatment and extra-judicial execution by SARS between January 2017 and May 2020 (Amnesty International report).

CONGO
Exploitation in the mines of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is now receiving global attention thanks to a new trending social media hashtag, #CongoIsBleeding. People in Congo are highlighting the child slavery, deadly conflicts and corruption spawned by the quest to feed mega companies with minerals.

Mines located east of the DRC are home to nearly 40,000 child laborers digging for the minerals that would eventually be utilized by Apple, Google and other giant corporations.

It was reported that children were working 12-hour days, some for just $2 a day, digging and hauling sacks of cobalt-rich rocks. What is devastating is that Congo’s government is not willing to ensure the security of the lives and property of its people in the coltan-rich towns.

This has led to rebel forces from Rwanda and Uganda; looting, torturing, raping and killing Congolese in these places all in the quest to profit from coltan produce.

Fights over natural resources in Congo has gotten out of hands and has sparked genocide in the country.

NAMBIA
The #ShutItDown protests started on October 8th, 2020 and has called for the resignation of Minister of Gender Equality and Child Welfare, Doreen Sioka. Sioka allegedly failed to meet with protestors and activists earlier in the year concerning women’s right to abortion.

Street protests led to the arrest of 25 women’s rights activists in Namibia. It has prompted the government to launch an urgent review to consider their demands for tougher penalties for rape and sexual abuse.

Naturally, the peaceful protests could not go without disturbance. Police detained 25 demonstrators, including two journalists, on Saturday for violating the country’s coronavirus lockdown curbs, but thankfully, the charges were dropped on Monday.

Toronto
“We will create events that are directly in opposition to any of their mandates and directives because their impositions are unfounded and illegal.” Lamont Daigle

Naturally, I had to bring it back home to Toronto, Canada.

Last Saturday happened to be one of the largest turnouts at Yonge –Dundas Square since The Line Canada started their protests in April 2020. We all showed up demanding an end to COVID-19 restrictions, mandatory masks, and we called on the government to open the economy back up so that people can work, businesses can thrive, and people don’t have to rely on government handouts.

I had a chance to sit down and dialogue with Lamont Daigle, the charismatic man who heads up The Line Canada. When you do get a chance, check out our interview on our MyTCNTV Network YouTube Page. During our jovial, yet powerful sit down; Lamont explains that The Line Canada was about defending civil liberties and rights, and standing up against government oppression, tyranny, and mind-numbing rhetoric.

What I enjoyed seeing that day was the fact that there were so many protests happening all at once. Regardless of the protest that was happening and why it was happening, protestors expressed their concern for on-going issues that are happening worldwide.

We are seeing protests in: Tel Aviv, Belarus, Poland, Italy, Australia, and countries in Africa. The right to protest is an important part of our human rights.

In Canada, Section 2 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees the freedom of expression, freedom of association, and the freedom of peaceful assembly. Protests are a way for people to express themselves for or against decisions made by the government or other powerful institutions.

I am proud to see that worldwide, people have taken to the streets to stand up for what they believe in.