Date: Published November 1st, 2014
The Egyptian Military Leader and His Government V/S the
International Law. Violation of Freedom of the press and speech.
Human Rights Abuse and abuse of power with impunity?
Introduction
This article is calling for the release of three Al Jazeera journalists and all journalists unlawfully jailed and/or detained by the Egyptian government, including other countries and governments around the world in violation of the international law for freedom of the press & speech and in violation of journalistic human rights, justice and fairness while doing their credible jobs as journalists under the “the Rule of Law.” They should not be subjected to intimidation, and targets for unlawful imprisonment, which is a specific “Intent,” by leaders and governments of nations guilty of doing so, which is a bad motive to deter journalists from reporting to the world about some leaders and governments when they fall short in their performances, instead of accepting constructive criticism and to correct their shortcomings. Does this mean that the United Nations is a dormant entity, by allowing other nations to continuously violate international laws and get away with it?
A good motive is your reason for doing something good. The motive that inspires the greatest trust is genuine caring, caring about people, caring about purposes, caring about the quality of what you do, caring about society as a whole. Think about it: are you going to trust someone who could really care less about you, about work, about principles, values, or anyone or anything else? Leadership is more than just the kind of person the leader is or things the leader does. Leadership is a learning process, and is the process of influencing others towards the achievement of group goals; it is not just a person or a position. This article is calling on the United Nations Secretary General, the Security Council, and the international communities/organizations as it is critical and imperative that they should promptly intervene and do more in correcting situations worldwide by the enforcing and adherence of human rights, justice and fairness, freedom of the press & speech, and to ensure that all journalists held behind bars without any reasonable cause believed that they committed a crime, and their jail sentences and/or detentions are unjustly, should be released unconditionally.
Look at the amount of troubles around the world today, including refugee numbers growing exponentially with mass struggling. When journalists are doing their jobs of informing and educating people around the world about situations, some nations’ leaders and their governments holds them captive and sentences them to jails and/or detentions in order to keep their mouths shut, a motive to keep journalists quite in possibly exposing their political ambitions. That is totally wrong and disrespectful for the international law in respect for the freedom of the press & speech, and abuse of the human rights, justice and fairness.
Max Web was a 19th century German sociologist. He wrote the Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism in 1905. Max Web did great works in his study about society before he died in Munich on June 14th, 1920. He said: “Society is organized, society is civilized.” But I would say for this present generation that: Society is totally disorganized, society is corrupted based on what we are seeing today around the world.
What Al Jazeera is and its mission
The Al Jazeera news network is one of the world’s leading media companies with more than 70 news bureaus around the globe, multiple international news, sports, and family channels, and now 12 domestic bureaus in the U.S. known globally for its factual, fair, and evenhanded coverage. Al Jazeera has won most of the journalist professions’ most prestigious awards, including the Franklin D. Roosevelt Freedom award, the DuPont award, the Peabody award, and more.
The name “Al Jazeera” means “pessimistic.” Al Jazeera’s distinctive logo is said to resemble a drop of water. Its geographic design spells “Al Jazeera” in Arabic. The logo was created via a design competition and has become one of the world’s most widely recognized brandmarks. The Al Jazeera America’s vision is to provide fact-based, unbiased, and in-depth journalism for its U.S. audience. It broadcasts local and domestic news in a global context, and global news in a local and domestic context. This interconnectedness is a critical element of Al Jazeera America, which focuses on the human side of the story rather than just on the political or analytical aspect of the events. Al Jazeera’s Headquarter is in Doha, Qatar and was founded on November 1st, 1996. You can learn more about the Al Jazeera news network by visiting the website: www.aljazeera.com.
The Issue
The Egyptian government and the three Al Jazeera journalists case began in December 2013, when three journalists, Egyptian-Canadian Mohamed Falmy working as Al Jazeera’s English acting bureau chief at the time, Peter Greaste, the land Australian journalist of the Al Jazeera network, and Egyptian producer Bahr Mohamed were arrested. The three journalists were arrested at a Cairo hotel room. According to (CNN) international, the three journalists were on the verge of joining what the Egyptian government says was a terrorist group-linked to the Muslim brotherhood, as well as broadcasting false information, and working in Egypt without work permits. The alleged allegations resulted to their being arrested and charged, and unlawfully detained since December 2013 to this present date.
In my view, I believe that the case has been high handed by the Egyptian government and very likely the motivations are nothing rather than for their political ambitions. All efforts made several times in good faith by the lawyers representing the three journalists to release them on bail, were to no avail as the judge denied granting them bail even though they knew from the onset that the cases had no merit as I sought to believe in my view and opinion, and very likely it is politically motivated, hence the linkage to the Muslim brotherhood political nightmare as I sought to believe in my personal opinion. Their case has drawn widespread international condemnation from human rights groups, according to (CNN).
The Egyptian leaders and government should have respect for the United Nations and the international laws that are meant for the freedom of the press & speech, and should release the Al Jazeera journalists.
It is in good faith without any bias to anyone or challenge to any part of “The Rule of Law.” The context of this article should not be misinterpreted apart from its purpose that is simple and clearly written and in good faith in seeking the appropriate channels to have the journalists behind bars in Egypt released. This article is written based on the fundamental principles and practices for the freedom of the press & speech, human rights, justice and fairness under the rule of law, and with respect to all international communities through the United Nations’ Secretary general, that are concerned for the entire world peace and stability, respectfully I asked for your intervention into the alleged allegations against the three Al jazeera journalists held behind bars by the Egyptian government for their unconditional release from their jail sentences or detention for well over two hundred days. In my view and personal opinion, I believe their jail sentences or detentions are unjust, unprecedented, and unacceptable conducts of disrespect for the international law, human rights, and the United Nations as unified bodies of rules and regulations, and/or resolutions that the Egyptian government continues to violate, including not limited to: freedom of the press & speech, interferences with the jobs of journalists, and continued refusal to release the three Al jazeera journalists and others.
In my view, and personal opinion based on human rights for freedom of speech, expression, opinion and human rights for justice and fairness that are all based on “The Rule of Law” etc. Additionally, based on concerns expressed by “The United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay that both have expressed over a string of recent court decisions in Egypt, including the verdict and heavy jail sentences handed down on the three Al Jazeera journalists, as well as other defenders who were tried in absentia, and for the release of the three journalists according to UN News Centre. Also based on US president, Barack Obama’s concern expressed during his first meeting with Egyptian leader, "expressed views that the journalists should be released". US President Barack Obama has expressed concerns for the fate of jailed journalists in Egypt and over political repression in his first meeting with his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, according to US officials and according to Al jazeera sources: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/americas/2014/09/obama-raises-fate-aje-staff-with-sisi-201492625529543600.html.
Also concerns expressed by “David Cameron” UK Prime Minister 'appalled' as Egypt’s sentences on the Al Jazeera journalists to seven years in prison. "Australian Peter Greste and Egyptians Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed imprisoned on charges of helping 'terrorist organization' Muslim Brotherhood,” according to sources from: The Telegraph: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/egypt/10919226/Al-Jazeera-journalists-working-in-Egypt-sentenced-to-seven-years-in-prison.html. There are many more concerns expressed, and calls for the release of the journalists by other world leaders and international organizations including journalism organizations around the world, demonstrations around the world, and even the people of Egypt all appealing for the release of the journalists based on international laws for freedom of the press & speech, human rights and justice and fairness for peace and stability in the country, region, and the world at large. Therefore, in good faith I respectfully joined the campaign of appeal by asking the international organizations including the UN for the release of the three journalists and others.
Views from other press
“Three journalists from Al-Jazeera went on trial in an Egyptian courtroom Thursday, in proceedings showcasing the growing intolerance of the military-backed government for independent expression from nearly any quarter,” according to sources from the Time Magazine: http://world.time.com/2014/02/20/al-jazeera-journalists-egypt-trial/.
“Hundreds of journalists have gathered in London to protest against the seven-year jail terms given to three al-Jazeera journalists in Egypt,” according to sources from the BBC
News: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-27988754.
In the light of the foregoing concerns expressed regarding the three journalists behind bars in Egypt, in my view, I strongly believe that the three journalists being behind bars is unjust, and they should be released, because there is no reasonable cause, or credible evidence to believe beyond all reasonable doubt that the three journalists should be behind bars since December 2013 to the present date. In my view and personal opinion, it could likely be a mistake by the Egyptian judiciary and/or the preceding judge over the matter that oversaw the case. I believe the case should be reviewed justly and the three journalists released unconditionally. In good faith, and respectfully I would like to suggest to the Egyptian leader to withdraw his statement that: “He Won’t Intervene in Case of Jailed Journalists.”
Brushing aside protests from the governments of Western countries, including the United States, President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt said Tuesday that he would not interfere in the case of the three journalists from Al Jazeera’s English-language service who have each been sentenced to at least seven years in prison, according to sources: from The New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/25/world/middleeast/egyptian-leader-refuses-to-intervene-in-al-jazeera-case.html?_r=0.
In my view and opinion, I believe as a leader of the government and the nation of Egypt, has the executive power to ask for a review of the case and/or grant amnesty to the journalists’ even if they have committed a crime. More on the basis of the UN secretary General and High Commissioner for Human rights concerns expressed, including those of the US president and UK Prime Minister, other world leaders, and the people of Egypt’s appeal for the release of the journalists for peace and stability in the country. In good faith, I would like to remind the Egyptian leader and his government about the following: Forgiveness is one of the most powerful actions a leader can take, as kindness and compassion. Leadership is in the eyes of other people; it is they who proclaim you as a leader. Leadership is ultimately about creating a way for people to contribute to making something extraordinary happen. Leadership is all about credibility, and credibility is the foundation of leadership. Leadership is a relationship between those who choose to lead and those who decide to follow. Any discussion of leadership must help to foster the dynamics of this relationship. Strategies, tactics, skills and practices are empty unless we understand the fundamentals of human aspirations that connect leaders and their constituents. If there is no understanding needed for the relationship, then there is no need for leaders. It is extremely important that leaders listen to the voices of those they lead, and in the arena of politics to listen to their peoples’ voices, and as well as their colleagues to be more successful in their endeavors as leaders of nations. The most credible leaders in the world are committed to justice and fairness, human rights to individuals and groups, freedom of the press & speech, acceptance of constructive criticism as opportunities to correct their mistakes and not to take an offensive response with retaliation, instead they should act in consonance with this belief of fairness to individuals and groups even when this can be uncomfortable or difficult. Leaders of all works of life including politicians should remember that leadership is about credibility. Credibility (How leaders gain and lose it, why people demand it), is for situations like this.
Forgiveness: We have seen these examples from other leaders around the world, and we all know how hard it is to forgive others who we feel have wronged us, and how good it feels to finally forgive. Here is a good example from Biblical leaders: Joseph’s brothers sold him into Egyptian slavery and were unaware that he had become a powerful adviser to the Pharaoh. Joseph could have exacted revenge when his brothers came to Egypt to buy grain when their land was affected with famine. Instead, Joseph had compassion for his brothers, forgiving them and inviting them to live with him as honored guests in Egypt. What the world is seeing today on the issue between the three journalists and the Egyptian leaders and government is pretty much close to the issue of forgiveness in the same Egyptian country.
Very likely, I would say history is about to repeat itself, therefore it is critical for the Egyptian leaders to rethink and forgive the journalists. God can work in mysterious ways and his powers should not be underestimated by any human being, but to fear the Lord, and obey him. Therefore, in good faith, and respectfully I urge the Egyptian leaders to forgive the journalists with compassion and release them. “Have compassion for others: The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow in anger and rich in love” (Psalm 145: 8). Compassion develops and grows when a person is confronted by the deep needs and distress of people who are unable to help themselves. Helplessness appeals to compassion. Compassion is silent, but does not remain secluded. It reaches out at the sight of trouble, sin and need.
First of all, compassion flows out in earnest prayers for those in need and have sympathetic hearts. Prayer is natural and almost spontaneous when compassion grows in the heart. Prayer belongs to compassionate believer. In the light of the foregoing, be you a Christian, Muslim or belong to another religious belief, you worship the Lord Almighty God, I urge you all as Egyptian leaders to have compassion and have mercy for the journalists and release them, as long as you believe in God the creator of the universe and your creator, and we all as one children of God. If you are Christian, please remember the “Royal Law of Love,” which states: “Beloved, Let us love one another, for love is God, and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God, He who does not love does not know God, for God is love” (1 John 4: 7-8).
Even if you consider the journalists as enemies, forgive them and have mercy on them for the sake of God our heavenly father who said: “Love you enemy,” and he the almighty God will surely protect you from your enemies. I personally, do not know any of these journalists, nor is my career in journalism, and none of them has ever known me which includes the Egyptian leaders, but because of love, peace and stability in Egypt that is needed and to also make the world a safer and better place to live, I join those who are asking for clemency for these journalists.
How well is the leader listening to the followers in all works of life, is critical. For example, in politics like in this situation – the three journalists and the Egyptian leaders and government, the questions are: does the leader(s) want to hear or read only good news, brushing off or ignoring other news, or is the leader(s) truly willing to listen to constructive criticism to improve his administration, etc? When the followers, for example in politics, look at their leader(s), do they see a pair of ears in front of them, or only a large, ever-moving mouth? Here is another good example for the Egyptian leaders and others around the world. The bible and other religious books are full of leaders who failed to listen, Lot’s wife didn’t listen to the warning not to look back at the burning cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, and wound up as a pillar of salt.
Here is another example of leaders who failed to listen, and in the same Egypt, over thousands of years ago. Pharaoh didn’t listen to Moses, when God the Almighty sent Moses to deliver the Israelites from slavery, Pharaoh didn’t listen when Moses said to him, God said: “Let my people go,” not even after his nation was hit with ten catastrophic plagues. Does this meant that history is about to repeat again in the same Egypt? Once again, in good faith, and most respectfully, I urge the Egyptian leaders to listen to the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, and High Commissioner for Human rights Navi Pillay’s concerns expressed about the detention of the three Al Jazeera journalists and release them and the others. Also to listen to the United States president Barack Obama and United Kingdom Prime Minister David Cameroon’s concerns, calls, and appeals for the release of the journalists, other international organizations and the people of Egypt’s mass demonstrations held calling for the release of the journalists.
When leaders continue to fail to listen to the voices of their people, it becomes a serious mistake, and what makes it more critical is when they give deaf ears and turn blind eyes to their colleagues and the international communities and organizations. In the political arena, it is extremely important that leaders keep in mind that they have a goal to accomplish – fulfill, complete, and succeed in doing for the nations they lead and not of their on ambitions. Also, it pays good dividends when leaders acknowledge – admit, recognize, give attention to others, agree with, accept, respond positively to good advice from colleagues.
Here is a good example of a biblical story that can also be found in other religious books about a leader who listened and how it paid good dividend for him and those around him. Noah was a man who saw and understood the value of listening. Seeing the corrupted state of the world around him, he had no reason to doubt that God was about to destroy the world by a flood and start over. As someone who had never built a boat, he was ready to listen and comply when God gave him the exact measurement (450 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet High). He even listened when God told him that he could fit his entire extended family on his ark (Noah’s Ark), along with two pairs of every type of animals on the face of the earth. People or leaders, who can listen to others in good faith, are successful, unlike those who failed to listen. Undoubtedly from biblical times, Egypt has had a history of leaders who did not listen; therefore it is critical that this present generation and present leaders do not allow history to repeat itself. Time is running out, it is important that the UN Secretary General call the Egyptian leaders to release the journalists.
In my research with regards to the stalemate between some governments and journalists, there are numbers of countries around the world, in which journalists are serving jail sentences, and most probably some of those jail sentences are unjust, according to The Committee to Protect Journalists: http://cpj.org/imprisoned/2013.php. Journalism is a professional career and has code of ethics that journalists should and must follow, and as well follow the rule of law, hence no one should be above the rule of law, though we have seen many times lawmakers themselves in their countries break their laws with impunity, which should be unacceptable under the rule of law, and this is why the issue between the Egyptian government and Al Jazeera journalists continues to go on. The international communities and the UN including other world leaders are trying to resolve the issue including other journalist matters in other countries around the world in the interest of peace and stability in the world taking into consideration of human rights, justice and fairness, freedom of the press & speech, and not subjecting journalists to targets for the jobs they do as long as it is credible.
I believe it is a bad precedent if the international communities and the United Nations allow any countries or nations to disobey or violate the international law, rules and regulations and/or resolutions passed by the UN with impunity, undoubtedly that would undermine the international law and UN credibility for the freedom of the press & speech, journalism, including human rights for justice and fairness under the rule of law. In my view, based on the international law, I strongly believe that journalists are to be free from targets for doing their jobs as long as it is credible and they shouldn’t be deprived from their basic human rights and justice for doing their jobs. In the light of the foregoing, I am respectfully asking the international communities including the United Nations Secretary General to ask the Egyptian government to release the journalists as the alleged allegations seem to be unjust, and unfounded.
I believe that the United Nations is the only unified body for all Nations including Egypt itself being a member of. This fact holds true because the current leader of the Egyptian government attended the UN General assembling meetings held this year in New York. Also undoubtedly, I believe that Egypt as a nation and as a member of the UN, did sign the UN rules and regulations & international laws for freedom of the press and speech, and also for human rights & justice ever since they were included in the resolutions, passed, and adapted. Consequently, under no circumstances is it for Egypt to violate and not obey the rules and regulations that are required by all nations to abide by, and strictly adhere to and in respect to their own country’s input to the rules and regulations of the UN. I believe it will pay good dividends to set good examples which those behind you as a leader would follow, instead of setting a bad example, and allow to be singled out as scapegoats in society and in the world.
In good faith, I sought to believe that the Egyptian leader recently made all efforts in bringing a ceasefire between the Palestinians and the Israelis in the Middle East that holds temporarily, in hopes that it will help to bring peace and stability and a stepping stone for peace towards the Middle East regional conflicts that has been going on for several decades. If foreign nations can respectfully listen to him, how would he feel if he continues to refuse to listen to the voices of his own nation, the international communities including the UN, and other world leaders that are appealing to him for the release of the three journalists behind bars? Instead of continuing to hold firm to his statement: “He Won’t Intervene in the Case of the Jailed Journalists.” But let him remember also that he took power as a military leader, to bring peace and stability in the country as excepted by the Egyptian people and the world, because of corruptions alleged against its former government, also because of the number of unrest in the whole country, and loses of lives due to several demonstrations against the previous democratically elected government.
Leaders should always remember that leadership is in the eyes of other people, it is they who proclaim you as a leader. The whole world including the nation he is now leading being Egypt, is looking at his integrity to lead the people as a nation, its economical development, and hope for lasting peace. Having faith in my principles and beliefs gave me the courage to navigate difficult situations and make tough decisions. This is one of the expectations from any great leaders in the world. Consequently, naming historical leaders whom most people greatly admire–well known leaders from the distant to recent past whom you could imagine following willingly; who is that leader? In the United States the most two frequently mentioned were Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King Jr. Other historical leaders who have made up the lists include: Eleanor Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and Flt-Lt Jerry John Rawlings of Ghana.
I believe you let the people you lead see you as a credible leader and trustworthy, and having the willingness to follow you as their leader. Credibility is what matters. People don’t follow leaders who don’t listen to the people’s voice, leaders are to remember, the government should be by the people and for the people, so if the people of Egypt are asking for the release of the three journalists, in good faith I personally in my opinion believe that the Egyptian government should now release these journalists, and focus more on the country’s immediate problems that faces the Egyptian people and the country as a whole, and to remember that the leadership government goals are to solve the stalemate between former leaders and their government and the people. You as the leader of a nation and shouldn’t let the whole world get tired of you for defiance or refusal to release the journalists to do their jobs.
Again, I am saying that credibility is the true foundation of leadership, and leading a whole nation that has struggled from having so many difficult hands of leaders that dominated power for years as sought to believe based on my perspective. In my view, I believe any new leaders that happen to become leaders of that nation either by military coup, being opportunistic, or were democratically elected to be successful “must” process, or learn the most admired traits and skills people look for in a leaders, and that has been constant over time, and for people to willingly follow you as their leader, you must be: Honest, Forward-looking, Inspiring, Competent, and willing to listen to the voices of the people. But if the leader(s) uses force or is a dictator, undoubtedly that leader and government will surely fail.
Leaders must clarify their values, what they belief in and what they stand for, as values guide us. To act with integrity, you must first know who you are. The fact is that if your people don’t believe in you as a messenger by your actions, they won’t believe the message. To became credible leaders you have to comprehend fully the deep held beliefs – values, principles, standard, ethics, and ideals – that drive you. You have to freely, and honestly choose the principles you will use to guide your decisions and actions, and not to fall into the same situation as your predecessors, most likely you are coming to lead the nation and to bring relief and a better life, for example the Egyptian people as a nation. It is good for politicians to learn a lesson from other leaders’ experiences of bad faith, practices that include unethical issues and mistrust, and not follow such examples, and allow you and your government to fall short, and become a failure because of failing to listen to the voices of the people you lead be it the voice of your colleagues in politics, leaders of other nations, and to the extent united nation’s secretary general who called upon you and your government for clemency and release of the three journalists, and to no avail as an example privy to not learning from previous mistakes and lessons. It is good for leaders in this generation to always remember the “Leadership theory: which deals with what a leader is (character) and what a leader does (competence). Ethical Theory, say: “Do the right thing” (character) and “Get the right thing done” (competence). While the decision-making approach focuses on balancing the “heart” (character) with the “head” (competence), as a school of thought, and to be successful in leading a nation.
Leadership involves both the rational and emotional side of human experience. Leadership, in particular in politics includes actions and influences based on reason and logic as well as those based on inspiration and passion. We do not want to cultivate leaders like Commander Data of Star Trek: The Next Generation, who always responds with logical predictability because people differ in their thoughts and feelings, hopes and dreams, needs and fears, goals and ambitions, and strengthens and weaknesses, leadership situation can be very complex, and I do believe this fact. Because people are both rational and emotional. Leaders can use rational techniques and/or emotional appeals in others to influence followers, people, or nation, but they must also weigh the rational and emotional consequences of their actions.
For example in this type of situation, when a leader refuses to listen to the voice of his nation, people who he claims to come and save or help, now he is turning a blind eye and deaf ears to the demonstrations and protests being held worldwide and still he refuses their pleas. Can the Egyptian leader and his government tell the whole world the evil that the three journalists have done if any that they can not be released from jail for? Can most of these leaders learn a lesson from the mistakes of those who fell on the wayside because of bad leadership, as they lacked what people looked for and admired in leaders such as: Honesty, Forward-looking, Inspiring, and Competent, and additionally ethics and trust. Leaders in all works of life, who lack ethical practices and trust, no matter how powerful or high their leadership or government, would likely fail either in the short-run or long-run.
Any relationship that has mistrust will fail. Mistrust can bring down any government or leader, marriage, friendship, etc. The most common problem or character of most people include some politicians is that they make promises that they will do for the people to vote for them in power, telling you about their integrity-(innocence, blamelessness), failing to realize that integrity is exhibited in actions not pronouncement of intention. In my view, it is about time that some of these leaders think and listen to their people’s voices. If you are a credible leader you listen to your people’s voice. In good faith, that purpose can empower people to reach greater goals than they ever thought possible. Politicians, particularly African leaders for that matter if they are unaware should know that great goals are seldom achieved without confronting internal obstacles and external opinion.
The work of journalists is to tell the public and the world about the situations and/or happenings around them. Journalists are ambassadors to the world, and should be treated with respect for their rights and freedom of the press & speech according to international law. The Egyptian leadership and its government need to release the journalists. Journalists are the ones responsible for collecting information, developing the information and processing them into stories, reporting them in the forms of: news on the media-television, radio, newspapers, magazines, books, etc, and educating all of us as human beings worldwide. Journalists have a purpose for their careers, and have the right to inform the world about any issue. Undoubted they are expected to obey and follow the laws in terms of good ethics as they write and publish newspapers, read and/or report news on television and on the radio. Probably much journalism is equally important like any president and cannot be detained unjustly to deter them from their job. I am respectfully asking the Egyptian leaders and government to please release the journalists. Leaders in politics should know that no matter how much you achieve or how much acclamation you are given; you are still human and not a God. The world is appealing to the UN to intervene on this issue and seek the release of the three journalists without any further delay please.
A full appreciation of leadership invoices looking at both of these sides of human nature. Good leadership is more than just calculation and planning, or following a “checklist” even though rational analysis can enhance good leadership, good leadership also involves touching others’ feelings, and emotions which play an important role in leadership too. Just one example of this is the civil rights movement of the 1960’s in the United States of America. It was a movement based on emotions as well as principles. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. inspired many people to action, and he touched the hearts of people as well as their minds. Similarly the three journalists were or did their duties of informing the public worldwide about the happenings in Egypt and the government and the leaders positively to inform the public and the world in general of anything they might have been working or reporting on, as long as the reports bore facts, the journalists should not be or have been intimidated for doing their jobs. One would need the UN secretary general to order the immediate release of the journalists.
What makes society civilized should be the: “Rule of Law.” But its looks like; “The rule of law.” has been completely disregarded and lack the respect for the four universal principles upheld: (1). The government and its officials and agents as well as individuals and private entities are accountable under the law. (2). The laws are clear, publicized, stable, and just; are applied evenly; and protect fundamental rights, including the security of persons and property. (3). The process by which the laws are enacted, administered, and enforced is accessible, fair, and efficient. (4). Justice is delivered timely by competent, ethical, and independent representatives and neutrals who are of sufficient number, have adequate resources, and reflect the makeup of the communities they serve. Source: http://www.worldjusticeproject.org/what-rule-law.
Military leaders have histories of bad leadership in the world and particularly in African countries when they seize power by staging a coup and take over a democratically elected government, they don’t listen to voices of their people nor have respect for anyone. More so, they disregard completely the international laws and human rights, justice and fairness, freedom of the press and speech with no respect. They don’t even listen to other leaders like colleagues in good faith who do understood politics and know how to lead a nation with experience compared with them from a military barracks. In my view, and personal opinion all based on my assessment of the situation, the defiance of the Egyptian leaders and government to release the journalists, is a complete disrespect for the international laws, human rights, freedom of the press and speech, and a complete challenge to the United Nations, the one and only unified body that all nations in the world agreed upon its rule and regulations, international laws, and conformity with the rule of law that are all be honor with the fullest respect and the person who sits in that chair as UN secretary general.
My respectful questions for the UN through the secretary general is: Can the Egyptian leaders and government continue to hold the UN, Human rights commission, and other international organizations to ransom, in defiance and continued violations of UN rules and regulations, international laws, the rule law all for human rights, justices and freedom of the press and speech and with impunity? Is this not a bad precedent of disrespect, and no regard for the UN, and the international community’s laws that the Egyptian leaders and government are giving as example to other world leaders and government, and that can undermine the credibility of the UN and the international communities?
It is my belief from past experience that any means gained by military power as a solution on a nation has no sustainable results but a failure, because their ambitions are of personal interests, and would refuse to hand power to a civilian, unless the UN intervenes.
It is my expectations that the United Nations Secretary General, the international communities and organizations, the media and the press that this article is addressed to would view this article of appeal and is supportive to the worldwide campaign for the release of the journalists.
Written By: James A. Koroma Sr., CMA. MBA. BSc. AIB. AMA.
CC: United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon
High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay
Al Jazeera Network
All Press & Media
All Journalist Organizations
Sources:
http://journalismschools.com/resources/journalism-organizations
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/americas/2014/09/obama-raises-fate-aje-staff-with-sisi-201492625529543600.html
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http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/25/world/middleeast/egyptian-leader-refuses-to-intervene-in-al-jazeera-case.html?_r=0
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/egypt/10919226/Al-Jazeera-journalists-working-in-Egypt-sentenced-to-seven-years-in-prison.html
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-27988754
http://world.time.com/2014/02/20/al-jazeera-journalists-egypt-trial/
http://scholarlycommons.law.northwestern.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1008&context=njihr
http://scholarlycommons.law.northwestern.edu/njihr
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/americas/2014/09/obama-raises-fate-aje-staff-with-sisi-201492625529543600.html
http://world.time.com/2014/02/20/al-jazeera-journalists-egypt-trial/
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-27988754
This article is calling for the release of three Al Jazeera journalists and all journalists unlawfully jailed and/or detained by the Egyptian government, including other countries and governments around the world in violation of the international law for freedom of the press & speech and in violation of journalistic human rights, justice and fairness while doing their credible jobs as journalists under the “the Rule of Law.” They should not be subjected to intimidation, and targets for unlawful imprisonment, which is a specific “Intent,” by leaders and governments of nations guilty of doing so, which is a bad motive to deter journalists from reporting to the world about some leaders and governments when they fall short in their performances, instead of accepting constructive criticism and to correct their shortcomings. Does this mean that the United Nations is a dormant entity, by allowing other nations to continuously violate international laws and get away with it?
A good motive is your reason for doing something good. The motive that inspires the greatest trust is genuine caring, caring about people, caring about purposes, caring about the quality of what you do, caring about society as a whole. Think about it: are you going to trust someone who could really care less about you, about work, about principles, values, or anyone or anything else? Leadership is more than just the kind of person the leader is or things the leader does. Leadership is a learning process, and is the process of influencing others towards the achievement of group goals; it is not just a person or a position. This article is calling on the United Nations Secretary General, the Security Council, and the international communities/organizations as it is critical and imperative that they should promptly intervene and do more in correcting situations worldwide by the enforcing and adherence of human rights, justice and fairness, freedom of the press & speech, and to ensure that all journalists held behind bars without any reasonable cause believed that they committed a crime, and their jail sentences and/or detentions are unjustly, should be released unconditionally.
Look at the amount of troubles around the world today, including refugee numbers growing exponentially with mass struggling. When journalists are doing their jobs of informing and educating people around the world about situations, some nations’ leaders and their governments holds them captive and sentences them to jails and/or detentions in order to keep their mouths shut, a motive to keep journalists quite in possibly exposing their political ambitions. That is totally wrong and disrespectful for the international law in respect for the freedom of the press & speech, and abuse of the human rights, justice and fairness.
Max Web was a 19th century German sociologist. He wrote the Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism in 1905. Max Web did great works in his study about society before he died in Munich on June 14th, 1920. He said: “Society is organized, society is civilized.” But I would say for this present generation that: Society is totally disorganized, society is corrupted based on what we are seeing today around the world.
What Al Jazeera is and its mission
The Al Jazeera news network is one of the world’s leading media companies with more than 70 news bureaus around the globe, multiple international news, sports, and family channels, and now 12 domestic bureaus in the U.S. known globally for its factual, fair, and evenhanded coverage. Al Jazeera has won most of the journalist professions’ most prestigious awards, including the Franklin D. Roosevelt Freedom award, the DuPont award, the Peabody award, and more.
The name “Al Jazeera” means “pessimistic.” Al Jazeera’s distinctive logo is said to resemble a drop of water. Its geographic design spells “Al Jazeera” in Arabic. The logo was created via a design competition and has become one of the world’s most widely recognized brandmarks. The Al Jazeera America’s vision is to provide fact-based, unbiased, and in-depth journalism for its U.S. audience. It broadcasts local and domestic news in a global context, and global news in a local and domestic context. This interconnectedness is a critical element of Al Jazeera America, which focuses on the human side of the story rather than just on the political or analytical aspect of the events. Al Jazeera’s Headquarter is in Doha, Qatar and was founded on November 1st, 1996. You can learn more about the Al Jazeera news network by visiting the website: www.aljazeera.com.
The Issue
The Egyptian government and the three Al Jazeera journalists case began in December 2013, when three journalists, Egyptian-Canadian Mohamed Falmy working as Al Jazeera’s English acting bureau chief at the time, Peter Greaste, the land Australian journalist of the Al Jazeera network, and Egyptian producer Bahr Mohamed were arrested. The three journalists were arrested at a Cairo hotel room. According to (CNN) international, the three journalists were on the verge of joining what the Egyptian government says was a terrorist group-linked to the Muslim brotherhood, as well as broadcasting false information, and working in Egypt without work permits. The alleged allegations resulted to their being arrested and charged, and unlawfully detained since December 2013 to this present date.
In my view, I believe that the case has been high handed by the Egyptian government and very likely the motivations are nothing rather than for their political ambitions. All efforts made several times in good faith by the lawyers representing the three journalists to release them on bail, were to no avail as the judge denied granting them bail even though they knew from the onset that the cases had no merit as I sought to believe in my view and opinion, and very likely it is politically motivated, hence the linkage to the Muslim brotherhood political nightmare as I sought to believe in my personal opinion. Their case has drawn widespread international condemnation from human rights groups, according to (CNN).
The Egyptian leaders and government should have respect for the United Nations and the international laws that are meant for the freedom of the press & speech, and should release the Al Jazeera journalists.
It is in good faith without any bias to anyone or challenge to any part of “The Rule of Law.” The context of this article should not be misinterpreted apart from its purpose that is simple and clearly written and in good faith in seeking the appropriate channels to have the journalists behind bars in Egypt released. This article is written based on the fundamental principles and practices for the freedom of the press & speech, human rights, justice and fairness under the rule of law, and with respect to all international communities through the United Nations’ Secretary general, that are concerned for the entire world peace and stability, respectfully I asked for your intervention into the alleged allegations against the three Al jazeera journalists held behind bars by the Egyptian government for their unconditional release from their jail sentences or detention for well over two hundred days. In my view and personal opinion, I believe their jail sentences or detentions are unjust, unprecedented, and unacceptable conducts of disrespect for the international law, human rights, and the United Nations as unified bodies of rules and regulations, and/or resolutions that the Egyptian government continues to violate, including not limited to: freedom of the press & speech, interferences with the jobs of journalists, and continued refusal to release the three Al jazeera journalists and others.
In my view, and personal opinion based on human rights for freedom of speech, expression, opinion and human rights for justice and fairness that are all based on “The Rule of Law” etc. Additionally, based on concerns expressed by “The United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay that both have expressed over a string of recent court decisions in Egypt, including the verdict and heavy jail sentences handed down on the three Al Jazeera journalists, as well as other defenders who were tried in absentia, and for the release of the three journalists according to UN News Centre. Also based on US president, Barack Obama’s concern expressed during his first meeting with Egyptian leader, "expressed views that the journalists should be released". US President Barack Obama has expressed concerns for the fate of jailed journalists in Egypt and over political repression in his first meeting with his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, according to US officials and according to Al jazeera sources: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/americas/2014/09/obama-raises-fate-aje-staff-with-sisi-201492625529543600.html.
Also concerns expressed by “David Cameron” UK Prime Minister 'appalled' as Egypt’s sentences on the Al Jazeera journalists to seven years in prison. "Australian Peter Greste and Egyptians Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed imprisoned on charges of helping 'terrorist organization' Muslim Brotherhood,” according to sources from: The Telegraph: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/egypt/10919226/Al-Jazeera-journalists-working-in-Egypt-sentenced-to-seven-years-in-prison.html. There are many more concerns expressed, and calls for the release of the journalists by other world leaders and international organizations including journalism organizations around the world, demonstrations around the world, and even the people of Egypt all appealing for the release of the journalists based on international laws for freedom of the press & speech, human rights and justice and fairness for peace and stability in the country, region, and the world at large. Therefore, in good faith I respectfully joined the campaign of appeal by asking the international organizations including the UN for the release of the three journalists and others.
Views from other press
“Three journalists from Al-Jazeera went on trial in an Egyptian courtroom Thursday, in proceedings showcasing the growing intolerance of the military-backed government for independent expression from nearly any quarter,” according to sources from the Time Magazine: http://world.time.com/2014/02/20/al-jazeera-journalists-egypt-trial/.
“Hundreds of journalists have gathered in London to protest against the seven-year jail terms given to three al-Jazeera journalists in Egypt,” according to sources from the BBC
News: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-27988754.
In the light of the foregoing concerns expressed regarding the three journalists behind bars in Egypt, in my view, I strongly believe that the three journalists being behind bars is unjust, and they should be released, because there is no reasonable cause, or credible evidence to believe beyond all reasonable doubt that the three journalists should be behind bars since December 2013 to the present date. In my view and personal opinion, it could likely be a mistake by the Egyptian judiciary and/or the preceding judge over the matter that oversaw the case. I believe the case should be reviewed justly and the three journalists released unconditionally. In good faith, and respectfully I would like to suggest to the Egyptian leader to withdraw his statement that: “He Won’t Intervene in Case of Jailed Journalists.”
Brushing aside protests from the governments of Western countries, including the United States, President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt said Tuesday that he would not interfere in the case of the three journalists from Al Jazeera’s English-language service who have each been sentenced to at least seven years in prison, according to sources: from The New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/25/world/middleeast/egyptian-leader-refuses-to-intervene-in-al-jazeera-case.html?_r=0.
In my view and opinion, I believe as a leader of the government and the nation of Egypt, has the executive power to ask for a review of the case and/or grant amnesty to the journalists’ even if they have committed a crime. More on the basis of the UN secretary General and High Commissioner for Human rights concerns expressed, including those of the US president and UK Prime Minister, other world leaders, and the people of Egypt’s appeal for the release of the journalists for peace and stability in the country. In good faith, I would like to remind the Egyptian leader and his government about the following: Forgiveness is one of the most powerful actions a leader can take, as kindness and compassion. Leadership is in the eyes of other people; it is they who proclaim you as a leader. Leadership is ultimately about creating a way for people to contribute to making something extraordinary happen. Leadership is all about credibility, and credibility is the foundation of leadership. Leadership is a relationship between those who choose to lead and those who decide to follow. Any discussion of leadership must help to foster the dynamics of this relationship. Strategies, tactics, skills and practices are empty unless we understand the fundamentals of human aspirations that connect leaders and their constituents. If there is no understanding needed for the relationship, then there is no need for leaders. It is extremely important that leaders listen to the voices of those they lead, and in the arena of politics to listen to their peoples’ voices, and as well as their colleagues to be more successful in their endeavors as leaders of nations. The most credible leaders in the world are committed to justice and fairness, human rights to individuals and groups, freedom of the press & speech, acceptance of constructive criticism as opportunities to correct their mistakes and not to take an offensive response with retaliation, instead they should act in consonance with this belief of fairness to individuals and groups even when this can be uncomfortable or difficult. Leaders of all works of life including politicians should remember that leadership is about credibility. Credibility (How leaders gain and lose it, why people demand it), is for situations like this.
Forgiveness: We have seen these examples from other leaders around the world, and we all know how hard it is to forgive others who we feel have wronged us, and how good it feels to finally forgive. Here is a good example from Biblical leaders: Joseph’s brothers sold him into Egyptian slavery and were unaware that he had become a powerful adviser to the Pharaoh. Joseph could have exacted revenge when his brothers came to Egypt to buy grain when their land was affected with famine. Instead, Joseph had compassion for his brothers, forgiving them and inviting them to live with him as honored guests in Egypt. What the world is seeing today on the issue between the three journalists and the Egyptian leaders and government is pretty much close to the issue of forgiveness in the same Egyptian country.
Very likely, I would say history is about to repeat itself, therefore it is critical for the Egyptian leaders to rethink and forgive the journalists. God can work in mysterious ways and his powers should not be underestimated by any human being, but to fear the Lord, and obey him. Therefore, in good faith, and respectfully I urge the Egyptian leaders to forgive the journalists with compassion and release them. “Have compassion for others: The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow in anger and rich in love” (Psalm 145: 8). Compassion develops and grows when a person is confronted by the deep needs and distress of people who are unable to help themselves. Helplessness appeals to compassion. Compassion is silent, but does not remain secluded. It reaches out at the sight of trouble, sin and need.
First of all, compassion flows out in earnest prayers for those in need and have sympathetic hearts. Prayer is natural and almost spontaneous when compassion grows in the heart. Prayer belongs to compassionate believer. In the light of the foregoing, be you a Christian, Muslim or belong to another religious belief, you worship the Lord Almighty God, I urge you all as Egyptian leaders to have compassion and have mercy for the journalists and release them, as long as you believe in God the creator of the universe and your creator, and we all as one children of God. If you are Christian, please remember the “Royal Law of Love,” which states: “Beloved, Let us love one another, for love is God, and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God, He who does not love does not know God, for God is love” (1 John 4: 7-8).
Even if you consider the journalists as enemies, forgive them and have mercy on them for the sake of God our heavenly father who said: “Love you enemy,” and he the almighty God will surely protect you from your enemies. I personally, do not know any of these journalists, nor is my career in journalism, and none of them has ever known me which includes the Egyptian leaders, but because of love, peace and stability in Egypt that is needed and to also make the world a safer and better place to live, I join those who are asking for clemency for these journalists.
How well is the leader listening to the followers in all works of life, is critical. For example, in politics like in this situation – the three journalists and the Egyptian leaders and government, the questions are: does the leader(s) want to hear or read only good news, brushing off or ignoring other news, or is the leader(s) truly willing to listen to constructive criticism to improve his administration, etc? When the followers, for example in politics, look at their leader(s), do they see a pair of ears in front of them, or only a large, ever-moving mouth? Here is another good example for the Egyptian leaders and others around the world. The bible and other religious books are full of leaders who failed to listen, Lot’s wife didn’t listen to the warning not to look back at the burning cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, and wound up as a pillar of salt.
Here is another example of leaders who failed to listen, and in the same Egypt, over thousands of years ago. Pharaoh didn’t listen to Moses, when God the Almighty sent Moses to deliver the Israelites from slavery, Pharaoh didn’t listen when Moses said to him, God said: “Let my people go,” not even after his nation was hit with ten catastrophic plagues. Does this meant that history is about to repeat again in the same Egypt? Once again, in good faith, and most respectfully, I urge the Egyptian leaders to listen to the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, and High Commissioner for Human rights Navi Pillay’s concerns expressed about the detention of the three Al Jazeera journalists and release them and the others. Also to listen to the United States president Barack Obama and United Kingdom Prime Minister David Cameroon’s concerns, calls, and appeals for the release of the journalists, other international organizations and the people of Egypt’s mass demonstrations held calling for the release of the journalists.
When leaders continue to fail to listen to the voices of their people, it becomes a serious mistake, and what makes it more critical is when they give deaf ears and turn blind eyes to their colleagues and the international communities and organizations. In the political arena, it is extremely important that leaders keep in mind that they have a goal to accomplish – fulfill, complete, and succeed in doing for the nations they lead and not of their on ambitions. Also, it pays good dividends when leaders acknowledge – admit, recognize, give attention to others, agree with, accept, respond positively to good advice from colleagues.
Here is a good example of a biblical story that can also be found in other religious books about a leader who listened and how it paid good dividend for him and those around him. Noah was a man who saw and understood the value of listening. Seeing the corrupted state of the world around him, he had no reason to doubt that God was about to destroy the world by a flood and start over. As someone who had never built a boat, he was ready to listen and comply when God gave him the exact measurement (450 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet High). He even listened when God told him that he could fit his entire extended family on his ark (Noah’s Ark), along with two pairs of every type of animals on the face of the earth. People or leaders, who can listen to others in good faith, are successful, unlike those who failed to listen. Undoubtedly from biblical times, Egypt has had a history of leaders who did not listen; therefore it is critical that this present generation and present leaders do not allow history to repeat itself. Time is running out, it is important that the UN Secretary General call the Egyptian leaders to release the journalists.
In my research with regards to the stalemate between some governments and journalists, there are numbers of countries around the world, in which journalists are serving jail sentences, and most probably some of those jail sentences are unjust, according to The Committee to Protect Journalists: http://cpj.org/imprisoned/2013.php. Journalism is a professional career and has code of ethics that journalists should and must follow, and as well follow the rule of law, hence no one should be above the rule of law, though we have seen many times lawmakers themselves in their countries break their laws with impunity, which should be unacceptable under the rule of law, and this is why the issue between the Egyptian government and Al Jazeera journalists continues to go on. The international communities and the UN including other world leaders are trying to resolve the issue including other journalist matters in other countries around the world in the interest of peace and stability in the world taking into consideration of human rights, justice and fairness, freedom of the press & speech, and not subjecting journalists to targets for the jobs they do as long as it is credible.
I believe it is a bad precedent if the international communities and the United Nations allow any countries or nations to disobey or violate the international law, rules and regulations and/or resolutions passed by the UN with impunity, undoubtedly that would undermine the international law and UN credibility for the freedom of the press & speech, journalism, including human rights for justice and fairness under the rule of law. In my view, based on the international law, I strongly believe that journalists are to be free from targets for doing their jobs as long as it is credible and they shouldn’t be deprived from their basic human rights and justice for doing their jobs. In the light of the foregoing, I am respectfully asking the international communities including the United Nations Secretary General to ask the Egyptian government to release the journalists as the alleged allegations seem to be unjust, and unfounded.
I believe that the United Nations is the only unified body for all Nations including Egypt itself being a member of. This fact holds true because the current leader of the Egyptian government attended the UN General assembling meetings held this year in New York. Also undoubtedly, I believe that Egypt as a nation and as a member of the UN, did sign the UN rules and regulations & international laws for freedom of the press and speech, and also for human rights & justice ever since they were included in the resolutions, passed, and adapted. Consequently, under no circumstances is it for Egypt to violate and not obey the rules and regulations that are required by all nations to abide by, and strictly adhere to and in respect to their own country’s input to the rules and regulations of the UN. I believe it will pay good dividends to set good examples which those behind you as a leader would follow, instead of setting a bad example, and allow to be singled out as scapegoats in society and in the world.
In good faith, I sought to believe that the Egyptian leader recently made all efforts in bringing a ceasefire between the Palestinians and the Israelis in the Middle East that holds temporarily, in hopes that it will help to bring peace and stability and a stepping stone for peace towards the Middle East regional conflicts that has been going on for several decades. If foreign nations can respectfully listen to him, how would he feel if he continues to refuse to listen to the voices of his own nation, the international communities including the UN, and other world leaders that are appealing to him for the release of the three journalists behind bars? Instead of continuing to hold firm to his statement: “He Won’t Intervene in the Case of the Jailed Journalists.” But let him remember also that he took power as a military leader, to bring peace and stability in the country as excepted by the Egyptian people and the world, because of corruptions alleged against its former government, also because of the number of unrest in the whole country, and loses of lives due to several demonstrations against the previous democratically elected government.
Leaders should always remember that leadership is in the eyes of other people, it is they who proclaim you as a leader. The whole world including the nation he is now leading being Egypt, is looking at his integrity to lead the people as a nation, its economical development, and hope for lasting peace. Having faith in my principles and beliefs gave me the courage to navigate difficult situations and make tough decisions. This is one of the expectations from any great leaders in the world. Consequently, naming historical leaders whom most people greatly admire–well known leaders from the distant to recent past whom you could imagine following willingly; who is that leader? In the United States the most two frequently mentioned were Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King Jr. Other historical leaders who have made up the lists include: Eleanor Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and Flt-Lt Jerry John Rawlings of Ghana.
I believe you let the people you lead see you as a credible leader and trustworthy, and having the willingness to follow you as their leader. Credibility is what matters. People don’t follow leaders who don’t listen to the people’s voice, leaders are to remember, the government should be by the people and for the people, so if the people of Egypt are asking for the release of the three journalists, in good faith I personally in my opinion believe that the Egyptian government should now release these journalists, and focus more on the country’s immediate problems that faces the Egyptian people and the country as a whole, and to remember that the leadership government goals are to solve the stalemate between former leaders and their government and the people. You as the leader of a nation and shouldn’t let the whole world get tired of you for defiance or refusal to release the journalists to do their jobs.
Again, I am saying that credibility is the true foundation of leadership, and leading a whole nation that has struggled from having so many difficult hands of leaders that dominated power for years as sought to believe based on my perspective. In my view, I believe any new leaders that happen to become leaders of that nation either by military coup, being opportunistic, or were democratically elected to be successful “must” process, or learn the most admired traits and skills people look for in a leaders, and that has been constant over time, and for people to willingly follow you as their leader, you must be: Honest, Forward-looking, Inspiring, Competent, and willing to listen to the voices of the people. But if the leader(s) uses force or is a dictator, undoubtedly that leader and government will surely fail.
Leaders must clarify their values, what they belief in and what they stand for, as values guide us. To act with integrity, you must first know who you are. The fact is that if your people don’t believe in you as a messenger by your actions, they won’t believe the message. To became credible leaders you have to comprehend fully the deep held beliefs – values, principles, standard, ethics, and ideals – that drive you. You have to freely, and honestly choose the principles you will use to guide your decisions and actions, and not to fall into the same situation as your predecessors, most likely you are coming to lead the nation and to bring relief and a better life, for example the Egyptian people as a nation. It is good for politicians to learn a lesson from other leaders’ experiences of bad faith, practices that include unethical issues and mistrust, and not follow such examples, and allow you and your government to fall short, and become a failure because of failing to listen to the voices of the people you lead be it the voice of your colleagues in politics, leaders of other nations, and to the extent united nation’s secretary general who called upon you and your government for clemency and release of the three journalists, and to no avail as an example privy to not learning from previous mistakes and lessons. It is good for leaders in this generation to always remember the “Leadership theory: which deals with what a leader is (character) and what a leader does (competence). Ethical Theory, say: “Do the right thing” (character) and “Get the right thing done” (competence). While the decision-making approach focuses on balancing the “heart” (character) with the “head” (competence), as a school of thought, and to be successful in leading a nation.
Leadership involves both the rational and emotional side of human experience. Leadership, in particular in politics includes actions and influences based on reason and logic as well as those based on inspiration and passion. We do not want to cultivate leaders like Commander Data of Star Trek: The Next Generation, who always responds with logical predictability because people differ in their thoughts and feelings, hopes and dreams, needs and fears, goals and ambitions, and strengthens and weaknesses, leadership situation can be very complex, and I do believe this fact. Because people are both rational and emotional. Leaders can use rational techniques and/or emotional appeals in others to influence followers, people, or nation, but they must also weigh the rational and emotional consequences of their actions.
For example in this type of situation, when a leader refuses to listen to the voice of his nation, people who he claims to come and save or help, now he is turning a blind eye and deaf ears to the demonstrations and protests being held worldwide and still he refuses their pleas. Can the Egyptian leader and his government tell the whole world the evil that the three journalists have done if any that they can not be released from jail for? Can most of these leaders learn a lesson from the mistakes of those who fell on the wayside because of bad leadership, as they lacked what people looked for and admired in leaders such as: Honesty, Forward-looking, Inspiring, and Competent, and additionally ethics and trust. Leaders in all works of life, who lack ethical practices and trust, no matter how powerful or high their leadership or government, would likely fail either in the short-run or long-run.
Any relationship that has mistrust will fail. Mistrust can bring down any government or leader, marriage, friendship, etc. The most common problem or character of most people include some politicians is that they make promises that they will do for the people to vote for them in power, telling you about their integrity-(innocence, blamelessness), failing to realize that integrity is exhibited in actions not pronouncement of intention. In my view, it is about time that some of these leaders think and listen to their people’s voices. If you are a credible leader you listen to your people’s voice. In good faith, that purpose can empower people to reach greater goals than they ever thought possible. Politicians, particularly African leaders for that matter if they are unaware should know that great goals are seldom achieved without confronting internal obstacles and external opinion.
The work of journalists is to tell the public and the world about the situations and/or happenings around them. Journalists are ambassadors to the world, and should be treated with respect for their rights and freedom of the press & speech according to international law. The Egyptian leadership and its government need to release the journalists. Journalists are the ones responsible for collecting information, developing the information and processing them into stories, reporting them in the forms of: news on the media-television, radio, newspapers, magazines, books, etc, and educating all of us as human beings worldwide. Journalists have a purpose for their careers, and have the right to inform the world about any issue. Undoubted they are expected to obey and follow the laws in terms of good ethics as they write and publish newspapers, read and/or report news on television and on the radio. Probably much journalism is equally important like any president and cannot be detained unjustly to deter them from their job. I am respectfully asking the Egyptian leaders and government to please release the journalists. Leaders in politics should know that no matter how much you achieve or how much acclamation you are given; you are still human and not a God. The world is appealing to the UN to intervene on this issue and seek the release of the three journalists without any further delay please.
A full appreciation of leadership invoices looking at both of these sides of human nature. Good leadership is more than just calculation and planning, or following a “checklist” even though rational analysis can enhance good leadership, good leadership also involves touching others’ feelings, and emotions which play an important role in leadership too. Just one example of this is the civil rights movement of the 1960’s in the United States of America. It was a movement based on emotions as well as principles. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. inspired many people to action, and he touched the hearts of people as well as their minds. Similarly the three journalists were or did their duties of informing the public worldwide about the happenings in Egypt and the government and the leaders positively to inform the public and the world in general of anything they might have been working or reporting on, as long as the reports bore facts, the journalists should not be or have been intimidated for doing their jobs. One would need the UN secretary general to order the immediate release of the journalists.
What makes society civilized should be the: “Rule of Law.” But its looks like; “The rule of law.” has been completely disregarded and lack the respect for the four universal principles upheld: (1). The government and its officials and agents as well as individuals and private entities are accountable under the law. (2). The laws are clear, publicized, stable, and just; are applied evenly; and protect fundamental rights, including the security of persons and property. (3). The process by which the laws are enacted, administered, and enforced is accessible, fair, and efficient. (4). Justice is delivered timely by competent, ethical, and independent representatives and neutrals who are of sufficient number, have adequate resources, and reflect the makeup of the communities they serve. Source: http://www.worldjusticeproject.org/what-rule-law.
Military leaders have histories of bad leadership in the world and particularly in African countries when they seize power by staging a coup and take over a democratically elected government, they don’t listen to voices of their people nor have respect for anyone. More so, they disregard completely the international laws and human rights, justice and fairness, freedom of the press and speech with no respect. They don’t even listen to other leaders like colleagues in good faith who do understood politics and know how to lead a nation with experience compared with them from a military barracks. In my view, and personal opinion all based on my assessment of the situation, the defiance of the Egyptian leaders and government to release the journalists, is a complete disrespect for the international laws, human rights, freedom of the press and speech, and a complete challenge to the United Nations, the one and only unified body that all nations in the world agreed upon its rule and regulations, international laws, and conformity with the rule of law that are all be honor with the fullest respect and the person who sits in that chair as UN secretary general.
My respectful questions for the UN through the secretary general is: Can the Egyptian leaders and government continue to hold the UN, Human rights commission, and other international organizations to ransom, in defiance and continued violations of UN rules and regulations, international laws, the rule law all for human rights, justices and freedom of the press and speech and with impunity? Is this not a bad precedent of disrespect, and no regard for the UN, and the international community’s laws that the Egyptian leaders and government are giving as example to other world leaders and government, and that can undermine the credibility of the UN and the international communities?
It is my belief from past experience that any means gained by military power as a solution on a nation has no sustainable results but a failure, because their ambitions are of personal interests, and would refuse to hand power to a civilian, unless the UN intervenes.
It is my expectations that the United Nations Secretary General, the international communities and organizations, the media and the press that this article is addressed to would view this article of appeal and is supportive to the worldwide campaign for the release of the journalists.
Written By: James A. Koroma Sr., CMA. MBA. BSc. AIB. AMA.
CC: United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon
High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay
Al Jazeera Network
All Press & Media
All Journalist Organizations
Sources:
http://journalismschools.com/resources/journalism-organizations
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/americas/2014/09/obama-raises-fate-aje-staff-with-sisi-201492625529543600.html
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/06/23/egypt-court-al-jazeera-journalists/11253335/
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/25/world/middleeast/egyptian-leader-refuses-to-intervene-in-al-jazeera-case.html?_r=0
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/egypt/10919226/Al-Jazeera-journalists-working-in-Egypt-sentenced-to-seven-years-in-prison.html
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-27988754
http://world.time.com/2014/02/20/al-jazeera-journalists-egypt-trial/
http://scholarlycommons.law.northwestern.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1008&context=njihr
http://scholarlycommons.law.northwestern.edu/njihr
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/americas/2014/09/obama-raises-fate-aje-staff-with-sisi-201492625529543600.html
http://world.time.com/2014/02/20/al-jazeera-journalists-egypt-trial/
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-27988754