Our Final Module for this course... mostly focus on COMMONWEALTH VALUES whereas we were introduced to a set of values that have come to underpin the Commonwealth - human rights, equity, democracy, pluralism, citizenship, participation and empowerment.
This module helps us to develop our understanding of the specific ideas that underpin these terms, as well as what they mean in the context of youth development work.
In this module, we were also being introduced to the Commonwealth as an international organisation .... how it evolved, how it is structured, and what it is trying to achieve.
The most difficult things that we have learned in this module were the emphasis on the political values of the Commonwealth, as defined in the Harare Commonwealth Declaration of 1991 ---- adherence to human rights and democratic principles. For this reason, we also looked on two units i.e. the principles of human rights and democracy at a universal level.
Huh! payah cee.... some of the units are abstracts / theoretical for us, but they provide us information that will help us to understand and integrate Commonwealth values into our work........
For the purpose of our group presentation... myself, Iswandy, G pian, Aziz and Hjh Mas... will present on the principles of liberal democracies and or universal human rights? Look at some examples (6 examples) of: a. How government policy or your workplace policy protects or does not protect these principles?
Tolerance of other religions and cultures A. Official religion of Brunei Darussalam and religious observance As stated in the State Constitution, the official religion of Brunei Darussalam shall be the Islamic and other religions may be practised in peace and harmony by the persons professing them. • Others cultural or religious celebrations such as Christmas Day and Chinese New Year are also being celebrated and also declare as the public holiday. • To organise party or concert gathering must seek approval from the relevant authorities (Ministry of Home Affairs, Royal Police Force). • To set-up associations must abide the rules and laws enforced by the government’s relevant authorities (Ministry of Home Affairs, Registrar of Associations Royal Police Force). B. Gender Equality Women in Brunei Darussalam are given the equal opportunities in all aspects of life including education, employment and business. Priorities will continue to be given towards ensuring women’s fundamental role in the unity and harmony of the family and the nation. We do think there is an ‘unofficial’ glass ceiling for female officers. The whole upper rank of Brunei society is dominated by males. Males do seem to get promoted faster than their female counterparts in most sectors of government. Maybe bosses see males as the ‘better choice’ as they can be relied on not to get maternity leave, sick leave at regular periods each month, emergency leave as child gets sick, problems with maid etc. If so, the whole system needs to be looked at? Career flexibility e.g. part time working, job sharing are just some methods different countries have resorted to solve the problem. Remember, good family dynamics start with a good mother while good families are building blocks of a good society. There is a widespread perception that in order to achieve the same promotion, females need to be a lot better than their male colleagues. Unfortunately, there are some injustices (relics of a system where a woman's ‘place’ is at home) in the way government treats its male compared to female officers. For instance, for a female officer with a husband working in the private sector, she is entitled to less privileges compare to a male officer with a wife working in the private sector especially in terms of 'tambang'. Of course this affects morale. eg 1, women (in the previous system) that are not degree holders, lose their pension and baksis (a substantial amount of money) once they MARRY and become month-month workers. eg 2, the number of men in the senior positions of government FAR outweigh the women, but thankfully this is slowly changing. And before this gets too dull, let we just add our two cents worth on this issue: Through the ages men are more prone to work that entails elements of 'danger' (hunter, soldier etc), maybe this is because they are more dispensable. Women were protected to ensure the continuation of the species (procreation). C. Legislations on Women and Children and Young Persons Despite the fact that there is no specific stated policy on women, the Brunei Constitution is gender free and several domestic legislations are in place specifically for the protection and rights of women in Brunei Darussalam. Protection of women and girls against sexual exploitation is covered under the Unlawful Carnal Knowledge Act 1938 and the Women and Girls Protection Act 1972. The Children’s Order 2000 was enforced to protect boys and girls below the age of 18 from discrimination, abuse and neglect. Besides that Children and Young Persons Order which will enforce rehabilitation for juvenile delinquents. The Legislative Council is established in accordance with Section 23 of the 1959 Constitution of Brunei Darussalam and its Members shall be appointed in accordance with Section 24. However the Legislative Council is not reconstituted following dissolution in 1984. On 25 September 2004 His Majesty Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam has consented officiating the re-establishment of the Legislative Council. The election or voting are only done for the election of the Head of the Village (Ketua Kampong) D. Right to Housing Ownership In Brunei Darussalam, the national long-term goal is that everyone regardless of gender will have proper accommodation and with citizens owning their own houses. The government encourages the people to have their own houses through the provision of housing loans to its male and female employees. For the landless, open to all eligible citizens are the National Housing Schemes such as the National Housing Development, Landless Indigenous Citizens Housing Scheme and Land Entitlement. Apart from the Government Housing and National Housing Schemes are the Brunei Shell Petroleum Housing Loan Scheme and the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Housing Scheme for the fire victims in Kampong Ayer. F. Education Ever since in 1950’s, providing universal access to education has been a fundamental objective of Brunei Darussalam’s education policy. This policy has proven to be beneficial in terms of providing much needed education to our workforce and therefore has made a substantial impact on the socio-economic, development for both men and women in the country. Students of both sexes also enjoy equal educational benefits which include monthly transport allowances and educational allowances in vocational and tertiary education institutions (scholarship to further their study in the higher institution or abroad). G. Welfare and Safety Net Brunei Darussalam provides monthly welfare allowance, educational guidance, training and to elderly, widowed, divorced, disabled or, emergency relief and temporary shelter victims of natural disaster or misfortune. Under the Old Age and Disability Pensions Act 1954 those who reach the age of 60 receive monthly allowances of BND$250.00. Children with Special Needs receive benefits in the form of monthly living allowance under the Old Age and Disabled Pensions Act, 194, which is also extended to their dependents, through the jurisdiction of the Department of Community Development. Brunei Darussalam through its Employees Trust Fund to provide the best national savings and social schemes in Brunei Darussalam with the aimed to assist members to save and optimise via retirement funds. H. Health Affordable and equal access to health care to the public has led to the overall good health and high quality life of people in Brunei Darussalam. Brunei Darussalam through the Ministry of Health is making continuous efforts to promote health through preventive and educational health programmes. Most of the population in Brunei Darussalam have access to clean safe water.
As usual, our presenter will be .................... Z U L .... MYSELF --- keayuan sentiasa terserlah. HAHA
For additional info on this module, following are the excerpts of an article on today's BB "
US Human Rights Report positive on Brunei
By M K Anwar
The US State Department annual Human Rights Report for 2008 was released yesterday.
In the report for Brunei Darussalam, there were several positive points concerning the conditions of the prisons and the government's zero tolerance policy on corruption.
Touching on the conditions of prison and detention centres in Brunei, the report noted that conditions generally met international standards. There were no reports of mistreatment and that the law prohibits the mistreatment of these prisoners.
In terms of the freedom of speech and press, it noted the nation's daily newspapers, which include the Borneo Bulletin, as practising self-censorship.
The letters to the editor, which appears in the Borneo Bulletin Opinion page, often includes comments critical of government handling of certain social, economic, and environmental issues.
On occasions, the government responds to public opinion on topics concerning social or environmental problems and the delay of public services, the report said.
The Legislative Council, which convenes annually, has allowed members to "speak their opinions freely", but they are prohibited from using language or exhibiting behaviour deemed "irresponsible, derogatory, scandalous, or injurious", and may be disqualified for service on the basis of various offences including disloyalty.
The report stated that the village consultative councils communicated constituents' wishes through a variety of channels, including periodic meetings chaired by the Minister of Home Affairs.
The government also meets with mukim representatives to allow for airing of local grievances and concerns.
The Brunei National Development Party (NDP) was also mentioned and that it is the country's only registered political party and pledges its support to the Sultan and the government.
On corruption, the zero tolerance policy practised by the government has successfully led to the prosecution of a number of low-level officials. There were no reports of prosecution or conviction of police or military personnel for corruption.
In relation to crimes, in particular rape and domestic violence, the report mentioned that according to police statistics, there were 46 reported rape cases in 2008 and 21 were under investigation. Police were said to be generally responsive in the investigation of such cases, the report said.
Although there is no specific domestic violence law, but arrests have been made in domestic violence cases under the Women and Girls Protection Act.
In 2008 alone, there were 225 reported cases of domestic violence against women, and all cases were still under investigation at year's end. The criminal penalty for a minor domestic assault is one to two weeks in jail and a fine. An assault resulting in serious injury is punishable by caning and a longer jail sentence.
A special unit staffed by female officers exists in the police department to investigate domestic abuse and child abuse complaints, while a hotline is available for persons to report domestic violence.
The Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports' Department of Community Development provides counselling for women and their spouses. Based on individual circumstances, some female and minor victims are placed in protective custody in the Community Development Department's Taman Noor Hidayah shelter while waiting for their cases to be brought to court.
There are various laws that prohibit the employment of children under the age of 16. Parental consent and approval by the Commissioner of Labour is required for those under 18.
The Labour Department, which is part of the Ministry of Home Affairs, effectively enforces laws related to the employment of children and that there are no reports of violations of child labour laws, the report said.
On the health and welfare aspect, the report states that occupational health and safety standards are established by government regulations.
The Labour Department inspects working conditions on a routine basis and in response to complaints and the department generally enforces labour regulations effectively.
However, enforcement in the unskilled labour sector was seen as lax, especially for foreign workers at construction sites, where pay arrearage and inadequate safety and living conditions were reported.
The Labour Department on the other hand may close a workplace where health, safety, or working conditions are unsatisfactory. The law permits a worker to leave a hazardous job site without jeopardising his employment, but generally, this did not occur.
The government's protective measures for foreign workers have included arrival briefings for workers, inspections of facilities, and a telephone hotline for worker complaints.
The report noted that government mediation continues to be the most common means used to resolve labour disputes.
Abusive employers face criminal and civil penalties. When grievances could not be resolved, repatriation of foreign workers is at the expense of the employer, and all outstanding wages are ordered paid.
The majority of abuse cases have been settled out of court by the employer paying financial compensation to the worker.
No 2008 statistics on workers' complaints were provided but the report stated that in 2007 the Labour Department recorded 26 complaints by domestic helpers and 108 complaints by corporate/garment workers against employers who failed to pay workers' salaries.
Sixteen of the complaints by domestic workers and 60 of the complaints by corporate/garment workers were resolved, largely by employer compensation payments.
Eighteen complainants withdrew their complaints while the remaining cases were still under investigation.
The government also prosecuted employers who employed illegal immigrants or did not process workers' documents, rendering them illegal status. While the majority of prosecutions were for long-term overstayers, many workers stayed on illegally due to their former employers' negligence.
The 2008 Human Rights Report is the 32nd edition of the Country Reports. It includes more than 190 countries worldwide and it is said that these reports help foster discussion, promote advocacy, measures country's progress.
Dec 5th, The 75th birthday celebration of His Majesty, the Emperor of Japan was held at the main hall of the International Convention Centre. Japan and Brunei Darussalam have established diplomatic relations since April 1984, soon after Brunei's independence.
November 30, 2008 at 1:07 pm
Dr Leong: Hello CYP participants. Some are lagging on units 1, 2 and 3. We’ll give you time to catch up on relating learning processes to your real life learning experiences and how you perceive learning.
So Monday 1 Dec 2008 will be catching up time and if you come to class in SHBIE lab 1.50, we will learn how to develop a blog on the internet for you to share your experiences and maybe do some small business of your own.