A picture, it is often said, is worth a thousand words. It seems a logo can achieve the same thing. The logo represents an actual logo of the Quebec government. One can at least respect them for coming out of the closet. Last year, the Charest government announced that they will occupy the north of Quebec and they are going about it seriously with their “Plan du Nord”.
Occupation, though, traditionally has had a reputation of armed might. The Russians occupying parts of Georgia, China occupying Tibet, Israel’s occupation of East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights, and others around the world.
No sides are taken here about who is right and wrong but occupation represents more than simply settling an area. It is aggressive by nature and historical fact.
With that in mind I would ask that this new or revamped Quebec government department look to the U.S. Department of State’s report on Occupied Territories and adopt some of the points they talk about. Below are the working titles of the various sections.
Occupied territories
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
The Occupied Territories (Including Areas Subject To The Jurisdiction Of The Palestinian Authority)
RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
Section 1 Respect for the Integrity of the Person, Including Freedom From:
- a. Political and Other Extrajudicial Killing
- b. Disappearance
- c. Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
- d. Arbitrary Arrest, Detention, or Exile
- e. Denial of Fair Public Trial
- f. Arbitrary Interference with Privacy, Family, Home, or Correspondence
- g. Use of Excessive Force and Violations of Humanitarian Law in Internal Conflicts
Section 2 Respect for Civil Liberties, Including:
- a Freedom of Speech and Press
- b Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and Association
- c Freedom of Religion
- d Freedom of Movement Within the Occupied Territories, Foreign Travel, Emigration, and Repatriation
Section 3 Respect for Political Rights: The Right of Citizens to Change Their Government
Section 4 Governmental Attitude Regarding International and Nongovernmental Investigation of Alleged Violations of Human Rights
Section 5 Discrimination Based on Race, Sex, Religion, Disability, Language, or Social Status
You may say this is not needed but one only has to think of Barriere Lake.
