Comment by hasenj
9 years ago
Free speech is largely an American thing. You may believe it's universal, but you would be wrong.
It's not uncommon for religious people to think that the principles of their religion are so obvious and universal.
This seems like a very similar attitude. But really, you're just used to it. That's all.
As a person who was not born into western culture, I find the concept sort of weird in some way. Although I do accept it as a given in western cultures, I can't see it as either obvious nor universal.
Articles 18-20, United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Ratified by 48 nations, no votes against and 8 abstentions.
http://www.un.org/en/universal-declaration-human-rights/inde...
Article 19 comes close but is nowhere as clear cut as the US first amendment which actively prohibits the government from suppressing speech.
It's quite clear in the context of the Preamble, which literally says that the non respect of such rights by the rule of law means that "man" is compelled to rebellion.
That's too vague and soft and not strong enough to generate any controversy.
Everyone assumes for granted that there are limits to that. Your freedom ends where mine begins.