Inalienable rights for a more secure future

03.JULY.09

Editor: As I listen to the many arguments concerning inserting the word INALIENABLE into the preamble of the proposed new constitution to describe the rights and freedoms of Vincentians, I am taken aback at the misunderstanding of the term, and where there is no misunderstanding a failure to reason properly to understand the values of having your rights and freedom described as inalienable.{{more}} Many seem to think that the inserting of inalienable into the preamble is legislating religion or religious dogmas. I say no, it is not!

Three of the fundamental laws of the land come from the Bible; therefore it means that the Legislators legislated religious dogma and they should be taken out? Isn’t murder, stealing and libel or defaming a person’s character religious dogmas which apply to SVG and the whole universe? These laws are embedded in our constitution and the law books of our state. They stem not from men but from the true religion of Christianity but no one seems to complain. These laws are put there for the protection of Rights and freedom of all (this proves that they are inalienable for it is the same God who created you with rights that give these laws and punishments are put in place for those who infringe them) and it is for the same purpose that there is a cry for our rights to be described as inalienable; to protect them from future tyranny. Adding inalienable does no harm. It does not hinder you from being who you choose to be but it allows for self-determination, where acquiring private property (owning your own business) is easier.

Putting back the word inalienable in the preamble (seeing that it was removed from an earlier draft) is for guaranteed protection of all citizens, whether an Atheist, Buddhist, Muslim, Rasta or Christian. Many fail to realize that the heart of man is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. History has shown that this is so and men in leading positions (Presidential and Prime Ministerial) tend to seek to manage and trample upon the rights of the citizens. Many fail to realize there are two (2) basic philosophies of governance- communism and republicanism and it is communism that seeks to trample upon and manage the right of it citizens because rights, under this philosophy, comes from the legislative pen of the leaders and not from God. Many fail to realize that SVG is not immune from such state of affairs where our rights become managed by the government.

There must be a deeper appreciation for the values of the views of those who are fighting for this cause; having our rights and freedoms described as inalienable. It is sad to hear of the disdain many have for these persons and the cause for with they fight- for this very important word. They say its semantics and just words but may the Lord help them. The proposed constitution is not for this generation only but for the generation to come. Because iniquity shall abound the love of many shall wax cold- Matthew24:12. I say this to say that if we don’t safeguard our children’s future they would have to fight even harder for their liberties. Many nations are sill fighting for their liberties, to be able to assert them and enjoy them. Why not enhance our preamble while there is still chance? Why wait until our liberties are assaulted to make a move? The time is now! What would we lose? Nothing but we will gain protection of our future and our children’s future.

“Under the law of nature, all men are born free; every one comes into this world with a right to his own person, which includes the liberty of moving and using it at his own will. This is called personal liberties and is given him by the Author of nature, because it is necessary for his own sustenance.” Thomas Jefferson: Legal Argument, 1770.FE1:376. Quoted in Thomas Jefferson on politics and government: inalienable Rights p.2. Again, whether you are an Atheist, Buddhist, Muslim Rasta or Christian you are born with rights and freedoms and these rights and freedoms will be guaranteed and more secured from future tyranny if they are described as INALIENABLE.

Karima Nash