Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1340314
Evarist Bartolo is Minister for Foreign and European Affairs 12 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 17 FEBRUARY 2021 OPINION MALTA commends Canada for the in- itiative to launch a declaration against the use of arbitrary detention of foreign nationals in state-to-state relations. The declaration states: "The arbitrary arrest or detention of foreign nationals to compel action or to exercise leverage over a foreign government is contrary to international law, undermines inter- national relations, and has a negative impact on foreign nationals traveling, working and living abroad. Foreign na- tionals abroad are susceptible to arbi- trary arrest and detention or sentenc- ing by governments seeking to compel action from other States. The purpose of this Declaration is to enhance inter- national co-operation and end the prac- tice of arbitrary arrest, detention or sen- tencing to exercise leverage over foreign governments." It is important that we come together as individual countries within the interna- tional community to renew our commit- ment to abide by the international hu- man rights law as we cannot have global peace and security if citizens are deprived of their human rights to be used in dis- putes between one state and another. Article 9 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states clearly: "No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, de- tention or exile." Arbitrarily detaining nationals of other countries, depriving them of any of their rights and subjecting them to ill treat- ment or punishment can never be justi- fied. From time to time differences are bound to arise in our relations with each other as states but we need to patiently perse- vere to resolve them peacefully through dialogue within the framework of the rule of law. Let us not use our citizens as bargaining chips or political tools in our disputes. Whenever we have might is right, the big imposing on the small, human civili- zation and the most vulnerable persons and countries suffer. We must resolve our differences ac- cording to the principles of the United Nations include the equality and self-de- termination of nations, respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms. These rights were formulated by per- sons coming from different political sys- tems, cultures and religions to apply to everyone in the world. Promoting them should not be seen as interfering in the internal affairs of our countries. At the same time let us not weaponise human rights by invok- ing them selectively and only when and where it is politically convenient for us. Every citizen has the right to treated as a human being with all the dignity and rights all human beings deserve: the right to equality, freedom from discrimination, the right to life, liberty, personal security, freedom from slavery and freedom from torture and degrading treatment. These rights that were enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human rights after the catastrophe of the Second World War 73 years ago are as relevant as ever. They are not only our past but also our future. Speech by Minister for Foreign and Euro- pean Affairs Evarist Bartolo at the virtu- al launch by Canada of the declaration bringing together 58 countries including Malta as a coalition of international partners that denounce the use of arbi- trary detention of foreign nationals Declaration against arbitrary detention in state-to-state relations Evarist Bartolo From time to time differences are bound to arise in our relations with each other as states but we need to patiently persevere to resolve them peacefully through dialogue within the framework of the rule of law