Kohima: The United Nations still does not have much idea about the problems of Asia due to the continent’s myriad and complex socio- political problems and this is one reason why the Asian region is often poorly understood.
This was revealed by Prof Douglas Sanders, Professor Emeritus of University of British Columbia, Mahidol University as the Resource person of a Seminar conducted by a private law college in Dimapur, City Law College day in AIDA Conference Hall of Don Bosco Campus in Dimapur.
The Seminar, themed ‘Cultural Minorities & Indigenous Peoples: Legal issues’, and the focus of the resource person’s discourse, was on the rights of minorities and indigenous peoples around the world.
According to Professor Sanders, the representation of Asia in the United Nations’ administration and ‘system’ is often misunderstood and hence misunderstands Asia’s problems.
He was of the opinion that the United Nations does ‘not know much about the situation of Asian countries.’
The reason is, he said, Asia and her countries are ‘still complex and poorly understood.’ There is more to be done in understanding the continent’s problems and issues, he told the students of City Law College attending the Seminar. ‘There has to be strong relation in Declaration of Rights and should not focus on territorial rights’ said Sanders.
Giving a brief history of the United Nations’ principles as explained in the Charter of Declaration of Rights, Sanders said the declaration is to ‘save future generations from war, reaffirm human rights, and establish equal rights for all persons.’
In addition, he explained to the students, the charter aims to promote justice, freedom, and social progress for the peoples of all of its member states. (UNI)
