BCHR: A University Student Penalized for Distributing Critics to Academic Status

A University Student Penalized for Distributing Critics to Academic Status

The Bahrain Center for Human Rights is gravely concerned about extending the deterioration in the status of freedom of expression in Bahrain to include university students as the recent victims of attack on the practitioners of that right. The administration of the University of Bahrain (UOB) - the only national university – produced a resolution to punish Miss Noor Husain- a business college student - by revoking a semester of her academic record in reprisal of "distribution of papers constituting abuse to the university and its administration, as well as inciting and provoking students against the university regulations."

Noor (22yrs) -the Student Affairs Officer at the Bahrain Youth Society- is active student in the UOB and was involved in the distribution of a statement issued by the Student Unity bloc and circulated among University students on the Bahraini Student Day, marked February 25th. The statement calls for "setting guiding regulations for private universities under the auspices of the UOB- The National University – responsible for embracing all Bahrainis, warned of a systematic policy within the University which may force students to abandon it to private universities known of its inferior quality of education". The UOB administration considered the statement to be abusive, tarnishing its reputation and provocative to students against its regulations.

In response, the University formed a committee, formed of five members, to investigate into the matter. Miss Noor was interrogated and her case was dealt with as a security matter which threatens the security of the country in terms of the nature of the questions. She was asked for her political affiliation, the political parties which supports her and the type of relationships she has with other students. Noor was informed that the UOB regulations prohibit the distribution of this type of publications.

Noor, on the other hand, expressed her commitment to the regulations of the university and her quest to, peacefully and democratically, develop them. She has affirmed her belief in the content of the said statement which calls for introducing reform in the educational system in Bahrain and providing sufficient fund to the budget of the UOB to ensure its renaissance and development.

The committee's report confirmed the charges against Noor and exhibited sensitivity to the fact that she appeared insistent and "did not show remorse or regret for the content of the statement, rather expressed determination to issue similar statements". Noor refused to sign the minutes of the meeting, which contained many points that were not referred to or discussed, considering it falsification of facts which did not occur.

BCHR considers punishing Noor Husain for exercising her right to freedom of expression is a blatant breach of Bahrain's international obligations as a member of the Human Rights Council and a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), ratified by Bahrain in September 2006. In particular, ICCPR Article 19 which refers to:"the right to hold opinions without interference, the right to freedom of expression; which includes freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of his choice".

The Bahrain Center for Human Rights calls the University of Bahrain to immediately revoke the penalty against Noor Husain, or any other penalties related to exercise of her right to freedom of expression or student activities. The BCHR calls the Government of Bahrain to positively deal and support student activities in various dimensions; political, cultural, social and human rights, instead of looking at its from the security perspective only.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Send appeals to the Bahraini Authorities to:

1 - Abolish the penalty imposed on Noor Husain, not to harm her academic record or impose any other sanctions because of her stance.
2 - give more space for freedom of expression in the University of Bahrain and eliminate any form of penalties for its students or employees - administrators or academics - for exercising their natural right to freedom of expression.
3 -Amend the laws and regulations of the UOB to conform with the right to freedom of expression as outlined in the international covenants ratified by Bahrain.
4 - To encourage all forms of activities among students (Political, cultural, Social and human rights) and stop the traditional dominance on those activities or deal with it as issues of security.

APPEAL and TAKE ACTION TO:

- Dr Majed Ali Al-Nuaimi
Minister o Education and President of Board of Trustees of the University of Bahrain
Fax:+973-1768-0161,1768-4493
Email: info@batelco.com.bh, akhbar-alterbia@maktoob.com

- Dr Ebrahim Ahmed Aljanahi
President of University of Bahrain
Fax: +973 1744 9900

Please copy appeals to the source if possible.

MORE INFORMATION:
For further information contact Nabeel Rajab, BCHR President, Manama- Bahrain, Tel: +973 3963 3399 / 3940 0720, Fax: +973 1779 5170, E-mail: nabeel.rajab@bahrainrights.org, info@bahrainrights.org,
Internet: www.bahrainrights.org, www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=50727622539, www.twitter.com/bahrainrights, bahraincenter.blogspot.com

Bahrain: Urgent Appeal: Growing violations to the University Students' rights to education and freedom of expression

Posted on the BCHR website on 06/06/2011

University students are being subjected to arrests and expulsions for merely expressing their political opinions

6 June 2011

The Bahrain Center for Human Rights has sent out an appeal to the Human Rights and Academics Rights organizations regarding the crackdown on the university students in Bahrain and the growing violations to their rights including right to education and freedom of expression.

Education is a right that has been reserved, protected and promoted by the United Nations. The Universal Declaration for Human Rights states, “Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace” - Article 26 (B).

However, as we write this letter, students in Bahrain are being deprived of this universal right. University students are being subjected to arrests and expulsions for merely expressing their political opinions. As you may know, on February 14, Bahraini youth started a peaceful uprising calling for political reforms, freedom of speech and expression and the right to decide their own future.

The reaction to this peaceful revolution was very violent with a series of crackdowns on protesters, especially university students. Not only was their right to education violated but it also put both their lives and futures at risk.

The brutal and inhumane crackdown started on March 13th in the University of Bahrain’s campus, where government-sponsored thugs supported by security forces terrorized and attacked students. There were four serious cases of injury and about eighty to one hundred students were transferred to the hospital due to suffocation caused by tear gas.

The brutality of the regime continued and escalated after martial law was declared in Bahrain through a series of systematic actions which demonstrated a clear violation of Human Rights. More than 160 allegations have been received by the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights from Bahraini students who study in both local universities and abroad. The cases of violations that have been reported to BCHR are as follows:

(1) Dismissal of University students: The government has dismissed more than 160 students from 4 different universities in Bahrain, 95% are from the University of Bahrain. 44% of these students are academically excellent, with GPAs 3 and above. It’s believed that the number of the dismissed students is more than this as the University of Bahrain alone has announced that it has expelled 200 students.

(2) Arrest of Students: 78 students have been arrested in total, where 2 are confirmed to have been arrested from their homes. Their homes have been raided, vandalized and their families terrorized. Students who have no political activity have also been subjected to arrests because of their religious background which the government sees as synonymous to the opposition.

(3) Revoking Scholarships: Bahraini students studying abroad were not excluded from the injustices their fellow citizens were targeted with. Their scholarships have been revoked because they participated in protests calling for democracy in Bahrain; a majority of those studying in British universities. At least 100 scholarships been provoked according to the official statements.

(4) Withdrawals from UOB: After the University of Bahrain resumed classes on May 2, the university put measures in place which altered the peaceful learning environment into a hostile one. They forced students to sign a loyalty pledge to the government in order for them to continue studying in the university. Students have had to go through checkpoints where they are targeted and humiliated. Buildings on campus are also surrounded with barbed wires, making the environment a politicized and hostile one. All this has lead to hundreds of students withdrawing from the university. (500 withdrawals recorded until 25 May 2011)

Therefore, on behalf of the university students in Bahrain, the BCHR urges you to use your global podium to take urgent and forceful actions to put an end to the Human Rights violations against students in Bahrain, in order for them to have the right to education, as well as freedom of speech and expression.
Your actions and stand will make all the difference in the lives of youth in Bahrain.

Validations, reports and references

Elaboration with Reference on Violations of Human Rights in the University of Bahrain

March 13, the day of attack on the University of Bahrain students

(1) The day of attack on the University of Bahrain by the government thugs (March 13)
Students were attacked in the University of Bahrain, Sakheer campus by the government thugs who held clubs and sticks for no reason but voicing their opinion and demanding political reforms.

(2) Local Media (Al Wasat Newspaper)

“Sayed Shubber Sayed Ali is one of the injured that has been transferred to the hospital on March 13, he was in the University of Bahrain when he was attacked on the head which led to fracture in his skull”
http://www.alwasatnews.com/3112/

“Although there has not be any official statement on the number of injured in the University incident, however, Salmaniya Medical Complex received 4 injured whose injuries caused by swords, 2 of them are in critical condition in the ICU”

“Eye witness said that because of the attack on the protesters in the pearl roundabout, the students went out in a peaceful protest in solidarity with their brothers and sisters who were being attacked, when they were attacked all of a sudden by men holding clubs, sticks and swords. Police and security were backing up the men who were attacking the protesters rather than helping the students”

“Al Wefaq (Political Society with representations in the Parliament) said that there were 9 cases of disappearance, on March 13, majority from University of Bahrain.
http://www.alwasatnews.com/3111/

Hamad Jasim Kanoo Health center, in Hamad town, received 80 to 100 wounded from the incident in the University of Bahrain; because of the number of the cases which caused a chaos amongst the medical staff, half of the cases that were transferred to the hospital were not registered. Majority of injuries were suffocation by the tear gas and at least 2 injuries by shotguns.

http://www.alwasatnews.com/3111/

(3) International media (CNN)

“University students protesting against the government at Bahrain University Sunday, eyewitnesses said. The government denied that unjustified force was used.”
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/03/13/bahrain.protests/index.html

(4) Videos of the attack

Footage shows the students in one of the universities building screaming after being attacked by the government’s thug
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_6V5pJH6w8

A student in his way to the university, recording the thugs (in white dress as the protesters do not wear white dress) holding sticks, then his car has been shot at by a policeman as he is explaining which broke the window
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31OZrTtKfdY

Pictures explaining how the thugs came in the university without being stopped by the policemen who were standing far and not interfering to stop the attack on students
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiKyaGJ6taw&feature=related

After the Declaration of Martial law

(1) Dismissal of university students

“Following the regretful incidents that happened last March 13, the University of Bahrain (UoB) has dismissed 200 students, academicians, admins, employees and security guards so far, announced the UoB President Dr. Ebrahim Mohammed Janahi, adding that the damage caused those incidents reached BD 350,000.”
http://www.bna.bh/portal/en/news/453458

University of Bahrain investigated with a number of students, they were confronted with photos and some of what they have posted on social networking sites. After the investigation a number of students were dismissed from the university.
http://www.alwasatnews.com/3166/news/read/559999/1.html

(2) Based on the report collected by BCHR:

a) Expelled Students: At least 166 students have been dismissed from the university (Students from University of Bahrain, Polytechnic, Arabian Gulf University and Nursing College)
b) Majority from University of Bahrain: 95% of the students who have been dismissed are from the University of Bahrain
c) Not involved in anyways in 13 March incident: 44.97% from Isa Town campus which is located around 1 hour away from Sakheer campus where the incident of attack has happened, therefore, they cannot even be accused of the unjustified allegation that they have caused this incident.
d) Excellent Academically: Students who were expelled are excellent academically of an average GPA of 2.85 and 44% with GPA 3 to 4 points

(3) Arrests of Students:

Students have been targeted from the first days of Bahrain’s uprising; Ali Al Muoman is a university of Bahrain student, one of the martyrs, was among the firsts to be killed by the Bahraini’s regime. The targeting continued by a series of arrests:

(a) Total numbers of arrests: reported cases shows that around 78 students are among the detainees, 78% males and 22% females.
List of arrested students

(b) Raiding their homes: at least 25% of the students were arrested from their homes after raiding it.
Ahmed Saeed Al Noaimi is a student that his home was raided, according to his brother, as he was in Kuwait, below are photos from his house after being raided for the second time looking for him:

(c) Arrests from Universities: so far 2 cases have been reported of students being arrested from the university. Maitham Abdulla Hasan is a student in polytechnic majoring in engineering, on May 19, as his relative reported, Maitham disappeared, when asked his friends; they informed him that he was called for investigation by the university at 11am and they did not see him ever since even his car was not in the university. His family kept searching for him in police station when they came across another family that was looking for their daughter who happened to be a student in the same university. They have been told that he is detained but with no further information. The next day his professor called asking about Maitham and whether he came back or not, “that’s when they found out that he was arrested from the university” his relative says.

(4) Revoking scholarships:

Bahrain regime accused of harassing UK-based students
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/apr/15/bahrain-regime-uk-students

Exclusive: Bahraini students hounded in Britain
http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/art.php?id=24391

The head of the university in a statement said that a number of students on overseas scholarships from the University of Bahrain to gain further advanced degrees might be subjected to deprivation of their scholarships because of their participations on the internet.

http://www.alwasatnews.com/3125/news/read/534562/1.html

At least 100 scholarships were provoked according to official statement
http://www.alwasatnews.com/3183/news/read/562880/1.html

A university student, Noor, studying in the UK, said she doesn't know how to pay her rent and studying costs after the withdrawal of her scholarship. She has thought of returning to Bahrain, but it is dangerous and she can be arrested for having participated in protests against the regime's violence, in front of the Bahraini Embassy in London.
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAK3b69iMJ0

(5) Students withdrawal

University of Bahrain resumed study on May 2, however, it put measures, both security and loyalty, in place which altered the peaceful learning environment to a hostile environment which led hundreds of student to withdraw from the university. At least 500 withdrawal was recorded by 25 May 2011.
http://www.alwasatnews.com/3182/news/read/562697/1.html

Student told Al Jazeera net that all gates to the university of Bahrain have been closed but one which causes traffic and students being late to their classes. Another student says that the university’s target are the opposition student which “makes me live in humiliation [] that I cannot live with”
Fatima said that her reason for withdrawing from the university was the checkpoints that are distributed everywhere in the university.
http://www.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/D13CEE51-BA0B-4AA4-9E3B-247DEF6850A9.htm

The university forced the students to sign “Loyalty Pledge” declaring their loyalty to the leadership of Bahrain and restricting their participation in university activities specially of activities of political nature.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/babylonbeyond/2011/05/bahrain-students-forced-to-sign-pledge-of-allegiance-to-government.html

http://byshr.org/?p=468

http://alethonews.wordpress.com/2011/05/16/bahrain-students-ordered-to-pledge-support-for-regime/

Loyalty Pledge: (Arabic & English)

Copy of Dismissal letter (number 267 for the year 2011, with a logo of Bahrain vision 2030)

Kindly do not hesitate to contact BCHR for more details

Bahrain Students: Expelled, detained, and prosecuted for expressing their views , as the country starts the National Dialouge

Posted on the BCHR website

Escalation of abuse against university students in Bahrain violating their right to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and right to education

06 July 2011

Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) expresses its deep concern for the continuing and escalating systematic targeting of university students by the Bahraini regime and the Ministry of Education, which are supposed to protect the students’ right to education, freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. Despite previous calls[1] from BCHR and other rights groups[2] , the Bahraini authorities continued targeting students with expulsions from universities, arrests and prosecution in military court. Up to now, around 300 students have been reportedly expelled in less than two months.

Interrogating Students On Campus

Investigation committees has been established to interrogate the students in University of Bahrain, Bahrain Polytechnic, Bahrain Training Institute and other educational institutions, accusing them of false and baseless allegations like “participating in marches to overthrow the regime” and criminalizing their exercise of basic rights for expressing their opinions.

The investigation process, as described in detail by the students, was as far as could be from professionalism and respect to the students. More than 20 students from Bahrain Polytechnic said almost the same story about the process. They were called for a meeting without knowing the reason; a panel of four headed by Deputy CEO, Dr. Mohammed Al Aseeri, who has been recently appointed, started with reading the accusations that were all around “participating in marches to overthrow the regime” which they all denied.

Students were asked:
- Do you have a facebook account?
- What is your username?
- Have you posted anything anti-government? (They were shown screenshots of their facebook accounts if they deny that they have)
- Have you participated in any marches to overthrow the regime?
- Have you been to lulu (Pearl) roundabout? When? And how many times?
- How long have you been studying in the university?

The answer to the questions above would be followed by one of the members of the investigation panel stating that the student is studying because of the generosity of the king and the ruling family and that they should be more appreciative for the education they were getting. Students stated that the questions were very provocative, humiliating and offensive and no matter how much they tried to deny the accusations, it did not work as it seemed decisions were taken in advance.

After more than a week, all those interrogated were expelled from the university. Only 3 weeks before the end of the semester, they were escorted out of the university campus by security.

Expulsion

The number of expelled students increased since BCHR’s last report on 6 June 2011, reaching around 300 students in less than two months based on the announced numbers and reported cases.

Starting 14 June 2011, two weeks before the start of the National Dialogue, Bahrain Polytechnic university expelled 5 students in the first batch followed by more than 40, as per the official statement[3] 47 students were expelled, 9 suspended for 1 year and 2 for a semester while 5 got final warning.

University of Bahrain announced[4] that almost 200 were expelled last April while BCHR has received 180 cases from students in Bahrain University and numbers are expected to increase as there are reports of more to be expelled.

The center has received more than 20 reports of expulsion from other educational institutions like the Bahrain Training Institute, Health Sciences College and Gulf Aviation Academy, in addition to overseas academies like Oxford Aviation Academy[5] . However we believe that the total number is higher but no official statement has been released to confirm that.

The education ministry has said students can apply to other schools, but they have complained they were unable to get copies of their transcripts. They were also convinced no other local university would take on students expelled for protests. Some, under a travel ban for political activities, cannot study abroad. Others are too afraid to leave.[6]

Revoked Scholarships

Bahraini students studying abroad on scholarships funded by the Ministry of Education have also had their scholarships terminated. Majed Al Noaimi, the Minister of Education, stated that “100 scholarships have been revoked temporarily until the investigation process is completed”. This action has been taken because of students’ participation in pro-democracy protests in solidarity with their brothers and sisters in Bahrain demanding for political reform[7] .

The Ministry of Education sent on 24 April 2011 a letter to the University of Auckland in New Zealand informing them that they have terminated the scholarship of 10 Bahraini students because “they violated the terms and conditions of the scholarship”. Being at risk of getting arrested, the students are currently living on the remainder of their scholarship allowance like many other Bahraini students studying abroad.

Hawra and Khatoon are among those students in Auckland that have had their scholarships revoked. They have arranged for a visual exhibition in New Zealand to tell the story of their people in Bahrain. Hawra says “I had this vision that when I complete my study here in New Zealand and go back home, I will build my own school where I inspire my students to question and investigate reality, develop their own ideas and celebrate their uniqueness”. This dream to build her country was shuttered with a decision from the Ministry of Education to revoke her scholarship.

It has been a month since the announcement[8] of reinstating the scholarships of students who would have pledged not to get involved again in "anti-Bahrain activities."; a decision that was blasted by an MP saying that it was "provocative and unacceptable."[9] However a month later there are still no reports of any scholarships reinstated.

Penalized for an Anti-government Facebook Status

Students’ expulsions have been based mainly on their electronic posts in social network where they have expressed their opinions of the situation in Bahrain that have been interpreted by the interrogation committee as “anti Bahrain”.

Students have been presented with screenshots of their facebook accounts and interrogated about a status or a comment they posted or to the extent to liking a page or a photo. Others were questioned about their tweets on twitter and statuses on their MSN or Blackberry messengers.

Noor Al Derazi[10] got expelled for what she wrote on her private and personal facebook page, which is a clear violation of her freedom of opinion and expression

A student from University of Bahrain was accused of participating in a peaceful protest and presented with photos taken of her in a march in solidarity with her colleague, martyr Ali Al Momen. Other students were also investigated with for their photos in the Pearl roundabout supporting the pro-democracy movement in Bahrain.

Peaceful protest on 3/3/2011 in solidarity with Ali AlMomen, a university student who was killed on the attack of 17th FEB

Arrests and Military Trials

At least 78 students have been arrested. Some of whom had their homes raided and vandalized, and their families terrorized. Others have been arrested from their universities while some others, from their villages or at checkpoints. Students who have no political activity have also been subjected to arrests because of their religious background which the government sees as synonymous to the opposition[11] .

Students have also been put on trial before the military courts. Among these students Ebrahim Ashkanani , an activist who defended and spoke out for students rights. He is a student in AMA University in his last semester before graduation. He was expelled on April for expressing his political views on television, as stated in his letter on the White House facebook page. He was later arrested on 18 May 2011. Ebrahim was also known for writing about students issues, blogging and for talking to the media. He has been presented at martial court without a lawyer and in absence of any family member as they were not informed about his trial. He is charged with incitement to overthrow the regime, trying to demolish the country's economy, illegal gathering and communicating with external parties and broadcasting of false news and lies.

Ayat Al Qurmozi a 20 year old student at the College of Teachers, was sentenced on 12 June 2011, after around 2 months of detention, to 1 year in jail for reciting an anti-government poem in the Pearl Roundabout. She has been reportedly tortured[12] in detention and forced to confess and apologize to the king and the prime minister on national TV.

Shawqi Radhi, also known as @machboos, a blogger and an activist student in the university of Bahrain known for helping and supporting the students has also been detained for more than 2 months and has been presented before martial court on 21 June 2011. He has been reportedly tortured and was unable to stand at the court.

Dozens of expelled students are going on trials[13] for baseless charges like illegal gathering , damaging of public properties, assaults and inciting hatred against the regime. Some of them were sent to martial court before the recent decree on which the king ordered all cases to be moved to civil courts.

Loyalty pledge

In a direct discrimination against students based on their political stance, the University of Bahrain has made its educational services allowed only for students “loyal to leadership of the Kingdom of Bahrain” through forcing students to sign loyalty pledges[14] affirming complete loyalty to the leadership of Bahrain in order to be able to continue their study at the university.

“Under this document, I the undersigned assure, As a full-time student studying at the University of Bahrain, my complete loyalty to the leadership of the Kingdom of Bahrain, represented by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, governor of this country may God protect him, and to the rational government.”

The pledge specifies “I acknowledge that not signing this document means I do not wish to continue my education in the University of Bahrain."

Students said they were required to sign the document in order to continue study, adding that the university had “turned into a big prison" as metal detectors, surveillance cameras and stationed security guards at each of the college campus buildings have been installed upon orders from the university officials according to the leading opposition newspaper, Al-Wasat.[15]

Not only were Bahraini students studying in Bahrain forced to sign loyalty pledges but also those abroad. According to Majed Al Noaimi, all Bahraini students on scholarships abroad and their parents would have to sign a pledge stating that they would not be involved in “acts offending Bahrain inside or outside”. He added that this is “considered as a final warning” for those students whose petty “crime” was participating in peaceful protests abroad to voice their opinions of reform[16] .

Violations of Human rights

The privacy of students in Bahrain has been violated, while they were targeted for practicing their right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly that cost them their right to education and put their future at risk.

They are being deprived from their basic rights that have been protected by international human rights declarations and covenant:

(1) Violation of Article 19 of the universal declaration of Human Rights: Freedom of Opinion and Expression[17]
Targeting their freedom of opinion by expelling and arresting based on messages posted on social networks.

(2) Violation of Article 20 of the universal declaration of Human Rights: Freedom of Peaceful Assembly[18]
Peaceful protests and assembly is a right that is preserved not only in the universal declaration but also in Bahrain’s constitutions, however, students were expelled and arrested for practicing their rights and forced to sign loyalty pledges not to practice it in the future.

(3) Violation of Article 26 of the universal declaration of Human Rights: Right to Education[19]
Students in the university are being deprived from their right to education and achieving their dreams that they worked hard toward through school and their first years in university. University of Bahrain’s students are not even given their transcript to apply to other universities which puts their future at stake.

(4) Violation of Article 2 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: Rights recognized without distinction of any kind[20]
Based on their political stands, students in Bahrain are discriminated against by being deprived from their right to education and targeted for demanding freedom by being humiliated, arrested and tortured.

Check also :
Bahrain: Urgent Appeal: Growing violations to the University Students' rights to education and freedom of expression , 6 June 2011

Based on all the above, the BCHR demands the Bahraini Authorities to:

(1) Take back all the students who have been expelled for them to continue from where they left and reinstate the provoked scholarships with no further delay.
(2) Put an end to all the baseless investigations and expulsions of students
(3) Release all the students detained for exercising their legitimate rights of expression and peaceful assembly and stop their unfair trials.
(4) An independent committee should investigate into the events that took place in the university of Bahrain on March 13, 2011 and all consequences.
(5) Annul all the policies and procedures that restrict the freedom of opinion and expression
(6) Abide to the international human rights charters and covenants that states that all human beings have the right to express themselves freely