Skip to content or view mobile version

Home | Mobile | Editorial | Mission | Privacy | About | Contact | Help | Security | Support

A network of individuals, independent and alternative media activists and organisations, offering grassroots, non-corporate, non-commercial coverage of important social and political issues.

The Most Credible Challenge to Neo liberalism

anthony ravlich | 18.05.2009 15:18 | Analysis | Globalisation | Social Struggles | Liverpool | World

The People's Age is near but will have to be struggled for by focusing on the 'bottom-up' human rights approach which are the rights left out by the Global Elites at the UN in their discussions of economic and social rights over the past four years which resulted in the 'we are all in it together' approach presently being adopted by States.

The Coming People’s Age

In any major struggle one needs an inclusive belief system in order to persevere against seemingly insurmountable odds - this is the only way to civilize Neo liberalism whose liberal rights now virtually only apply to elites and therefore only amount privileges. It is maintained that the 'bottom-up' human rights approach proposed poses the only credible to challenge to neo liberalism in the world today and this is simply because in human rights terms it cannot be wrong because the global elites when discussing economic and social matters over the past four years at the UN left out these rights so they will need to be struggled for anyway.

A People’s Age is coming but needs you to have an inclusive belief to struggle for if it is to be much sooner rather than much later:
The ‘Bottom-Up’ Human Rights challenge to Neo-Liberalism
I consider this is the only credible challenge in today’s world – supported by some of the world’s top intellectuals (see below)
(See My Book: ‘Freedom from our social prisons..’ – in public libraries, paperback due to be released on June 28, 2009)
The following are two fliers our Human Rights Council Inc. is presently circulating in Auckland, New Zealand:

FREE LECTURE: Predicted Ethnic Conflict could see a return to Protectionism.

Anthony Ravlich (MA, BSc, Dip Crim (Hons))
Chairperson
Human Rights Council Inc. ( New Zealand , Asia-Pacific Region)
For details: Ph: (09) 302 2761,  anthony_ravlich@yahoo.com, www.hrc2001.org.nz

The Coming People’s Age: My book, ‘Freedom from our social prisons’, proposes a more ethical, ‘Bottom-Up’ Approach to Human Rights which equates with those human rights recently excluded by the UN and the global elites after four years of discussions. The relevant human rights instrument concerned with economic, social and cultural rights was adopted by the General Assembly on December 10, 2008, just after Obama became President. The global elite’s new “we are in it together approach”, adopted by Obama and other State leaders (such as New Zealand’s John Key), excludes the core minimum obligations of the State as defined by the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (yet the committee states that without these core minimums these rights lose their ‘raison d’etre’). Also excluded are the right to human rights education, the right to development, and non-retrogression (protecting existing human rights in law and policy). This information is freely available on the internet for anyone who wishes to research the original UN documents.
The above excluded rights have paved the way for a massive increase in global unemployment, the decline of small business and future ethnic conflict is likely (although perhaps in New Zealand largely of a criminal nature) as anger grows at increasing unemployment i.e. directed across ways rather than the policies of government.. To address this problem some countries are likely to place more emphasis on small business development in order to employ people and this is likely to lead to increasing economic protectionism with a domino effect as more countries follow suit (although one must be cautious about offering false hope to the most disadvantaged). If the proposed ‘Bottom-Up’ approach to human rights is struggled for by dissident groups the People’s Age is very likely to be much sooner rather than much later.
New Zealand, in my view, although very adept at the internal economic war often using extreme structural violence is likely to be averse to any authoritarian approach using direct violence to suppress ethnic conflict especially as it portrays itself at the international and domestic levels as champions of human rights. Consequently when protectionism eventually starts to take hold New Zealand is again very likely to be at the forefront of global economic change – however, in my opinion, the people are badly ill equipped to deal with such sudden change as occurred in 1984. While many are concerned about justice they lack the ability to articulate their concerns using the human rights language so dominant in the world today – in fact, the elites seems to regard such knowledge as their intellectual property but the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is meant for all and does not come under this category. For example, the New Zealand Human Rights Commission will readily admit that while section 5(a) of the Human Rights Act 1993 requires the commission to educate New Zealanders in human rights, including economic, social and cultural rights, successive governments have refused to fund it. The very close relationship between human rights and their money is very ill understood by people. An example, is the fact that when the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was converted into international law (in the form of two covenants) the right to property was left out of the latter to be dealt with by the UN specialized agencies – the IMF and the World Bank – thereby ensuring a public sector and a socially irresponsible private sector unconcerned with the other human rights. Also there is the present very political nature of the human rights agenda as devised by the global and domestic elites whereby society revolves around the interests of a middle class, professional elite who not only lack the will to ensure their own liberal rights are universal and able to be accessed by the most disadvantaged and marginalized (in the same way that while economic, social and cultural rights are in the Constitution of South Africa they are over ridden by neo liberalism as universal civil and political rights are in New Zealand) but also do not develop beyond liberalism and address the very serious problems of the day.
The above excluded human rights can be struggled for peacefully driven by truly independent NGOs with the support of the discontented throughout society and so help avert any internal conflict.

Freedom from Our Social Prisons
The Rise of Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights
Anthony George Ravlich (About the Author – See Next Page)

• The ‘Bottom-up’ Human Rights Approach in the book is supported by a number of the world’s top human rights experts (See next page). Also it is in the policies of the Human Rights Party – candidate, Anthony van den Heuvel, standing in the Mt Albert by-election on June 13).
• Book Suppressed by New Zealand ’s Liberal Media and Establishment (but in libraries). However, the publisher, Lexington Books, describes international sales as ‘Excellent’.
The purpose of this book is to provide a belief system to empower people using the democratic system and human rights law. This author contends that neo-liberalism has created a large underclass and has impinged upon the right to development for those who do not fit into the "neo-liberal square". Economic, social, and cultural rights, which have been rising in importance within the United Nations and have been denied to many, can be implemented using the core minimum obligations as defined by the General Comments of the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. This will go a long way toward civilizing neo-liberalism.

THE MANIPULATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS BY THE UN, GLOBAL ELITES AND NEW ZEALAND ’S LIBERAL ELITE CREATING MASSIVE UNEMPLOYMENT.
****Vote for Anthony van den Heuvel, Human Rights Party, Mt Albert By-Election – June 13****

"In his noteworthy new book, Anthony Ravlich reminds us of the critical need for comprehensive human rights education in order for the poor and disadvantaged to be able to hold state's accountable to fulfil their minimum core obligations under economic and social human rights law. Ravlich accurately points to the devastating impact of structural violence and neoliberal economic policies on the lives of millions who now live in squalor and poverty. He effectively argues that economic globalization proceeded prematurely as it did not include simultaneous economic and social rights protection. Ravlich eloquently calls on states to stop "fudging" on their core minimum obligations and respect the economic rights of the poor. This informed study will be of great use to all concerned with social justice." - William F. Felice, professor of international relations and global affairs, Eckerd College


Table of Contents: The Rise of Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights. Political Tolerance and Core Minimum Obligations. The Politics of Human Rights and the Liberal Oligarchy. The History of Human Rights and the Most Disadvantaged. Lack of Will for Social Justice for the Most Disadvantaged at the UN

FREE LECTURE: The “we are all in it together” Lie (Contact: Tony, ph (09) 302.2761)
Paper USD $32.95 978-0-7391-2287-7 June 2009 Cloth USD $80.00 978-0-7391-2286-0 May 2008

His Honour Judge Philip Recordon (Waitakere, Auckland , New Zealand ) – comment after reading the book: “Very good. Neo liberalism/underclass interesting and very well written” (letter dated 17 December 2008)
Professor Jim Ife: I do like your approach to human rights, which from my point of view have to be 'bottom-up' if they are to have any relevance and to be meaningful to people. I am just finishing a book, to that effect, called "Human Rights from Below" - which seeks to integrate human rights and community development (the latter understood in an organic and bottom-up way, not in UN terms!). Jim Ife is a visiting Professor to the Department of Social Practice, UNITEC, Auckland . He was formerly Professor of Human Rights at Curtin University , Perth and previously Professor of Social Work at the University of Western Australia , Perth .
Noam Chomsky: “Thanks for sending. On a quick scan, looks most interesting”.May 26, 2008. Sent letter on November 17, 2008: “I’m very glad to learn about what you are doing, and hope to find time before too long to read the book carefully”. I have had six emails from Noam Chomsky in regard to my work – often with supportive, helpful comments and he has critiqued one of my short articles.
Ellie Palmer LLB ( Manchester ), MA PGCE (Glasgow), Lecturer, Department of Law, Human Rights Centre, University of Essex : “This is a good idea. It takes a long time for relevance of books to filter through. I've ordered it. I like your thesis very much”. May 05, 2008
Njal Hostmaelingen, Norwegian Human Rights Centre, Editor of the Nordic Journal of Human Rights: “This project seems highly interesting! The best help I could give you is to find space for a book review in the Nordic Journal of Human Rights,
where I am the editor”.
Yash Pal Ghai : As of 2007 he is the head of the Constitution Advisory Support Unit of the United Nations Development Programme in Nepal and a Special Representative of the UN Secretary General in Cambodia on human rights. He has been a Fellow of the British Academy since 2005. He was the Sir YK Pao Professor of Public Law at the University of Hong Kong starting in 1989. He has been an Honorary Professor there since his retirement in 1995. “Congratulations--very valuable. Did your publisher write to me for a sentence or two on the back cover? I fear I forgot to reply--too busy, and do not normally write such sentences. If I had connected the book to you, I would have been more forthcoming. Is it too late? I will make sure that the existence of the book is brought to the attention of the right people and institutions. May 12, 2008
Khaled Abou el Fadl, The Omar and Azmeralda Distinguished Professor in Islamic Law, has been awarded The University of Oslo's Human Rights Award, The Lisl and Leo Eitinger Prize. Professor Abou el Fadl is one of the leading authorities in Islamic law in the United States and Europe . Alfi Professor of Law. UCLA School of Law: “I find your pedagogical approach to teaching human rights fascinating. I would like to request a gratis copy of your book for possible adoption in my human rights course. October 9, 2008.
About the Author: Anthony George Ravlich, MA, BSc, Dip Crim (Hons), Chairperson, Human Rights Council Inc. New Zealand . Ph: (09) 302 2761,  anthony_ravlich@yahoo.com;  http://www.hrc2001.org.nz. Because of his belief in the universal declaration of human rights he has been forced to live in poverty, mixing with the poor, since 1991 taking casual work as a dish washer, exam supervisor, and English tutor. He has had a very close association with Psychiatric Survivors Inc. since 1992.Planet Radio ‘Human Rights Show’ host and an experienced Statistical Social Researcher


anthony ravlich
- e-mail: anthony_ravlich@yahoo.com
- Homepage: http://www.hrc2001.org.nz

Upcoming Coverage
View and post events
Upcoming Events UK
24th October, London: 2015 London Anarchist Bookfair
2nd - 8th November: Wrexham, Wales, UK & Everywhere: Week of Action Against the North Wales Prison & the Prison Industrial Complex. Cymraeg: Wythnos o Weithredu yn Erbyn Carchar Gogledd Cymru

Ongoing UK
Every Tuesday 6pm-8pm, Yorkshire: Demo/vigil at NSA/NRO Menwith Hill US Spy Base More info: CAAB.

Every Tuesday, UK & worldwide: Counter Terror Tuesdays. Call the US Embassy nearest to you to protest Obama's Terror Tuesdays. More info here

Every day, London: Vigil for Julian Assange outside Ecuadorian Embassy

Parliament Sq Protest: see topic page
Ongoing Global
Rossport, Ireland: see topic page
Israel-Palestine: Israel Indymedia | Palestine Indymedia
Oaxaca: Chiapas Indymedia
Regions
All Regions
Birmingham
Cambridge
Liverpool
London
Oxford
Sheffield
South Coast
Wales
World
Other Local IMCs
Bristol/South West
Nottingham
Scotland
Social Media
You can follow @ukindymedia on indy.im and Twitter. We are working on a Twitter policy. We do not use Facebook, and advise you not to either.
Support Us
We need help paying the bills for hosting this site, please consider supporting us financially.
Other Media Projects
Schnews
Dissident Island Radio
Corporate Watch
Media Lens
VisionOnTV
Earth First! Action Update
Earth First! Action Reports
Topics
All Topics
Afghanistan
Analysis
Animal Liberation
Anti-Nuclear
Anti-militarism
Anti-racism
Bio-technology
Climate Chaos
Culture
Ecology
Education
Energy Crisis
Fracking
Free Spaces
Gender
Globalisation
Health
History
Indymedia
Iraq
Migration
Ocean Defence
Other Press
Palestine
Policing
Public sector cuts
Repression
Social Struggles
Technology
Terror War
Workers' Movements
Zapatista
Major Reports
NATO 2014
G8 2013
Workfare
2011 Census Resistance
Occupy Everywhere
August Riots
Dale Farm
J30 Strike
Flotilla to Gaza
Mayday 2010
Tar Sands
G20 London Summit
University Occupations for Gaza
Guantanamo
Indymedia Server Seizure
COP15 Climate Summit 2009
Carmel Agrexco
G8 Japan 2008
SHAC
Stop Sequani
Stop RWB
Climate Camp 2008
Oaxaca Uprising
Rossport Solidarity
Smash EDO
SOCPA
Past Major Reports
Encrypted Page
You are viewing this page using an encrypted connection. If you bookmark this page or send its address in an email you might want to use the un-encrypted address of this page.
If you recieved a warning about an untrusted root certificate please install the CAcert root certificate, for more information see the security page.

Global IMC Network


www.indymedia.org

Projects
print
radio
satellite tv
video

Africa

Europe
antwerpen
armenia
athens
austria
barcelona
belarus
belgium
belgrade
brussels
bulgaria
calabria
croatia
cyprus
emilia-romagna
estrecho / madiaq
galiza
germany
grenoble
hungary
ireland
istanbul
italy
la plana
liege
liguria
lille
linksunten
lombardia
madrid
malta
marseille
nantes
napoli
netherlands
northern england
nottingham imc
paris/île-de-france
patras
piemonte
poland
portugal
roma
romania
russia
sardegna
scotland
sverige
switzerland
torun
toscana
ukraine
united kingdom
valencia

Latin America
argentina
bolivia
chiapas
chile
chile sur
cmi brasil
cmi sucre
colombia
ecuador
mexico
peru
puerto rico
qollasuyu
rosario
santiago
tijuana
uruguay
valparaiso
venezuela

Oceania
aotearoa
brisbane
burma
darwin
jakarta
manila
melbourne
perth
qc
sydney

South Asia
india


United States
arizona
arkansas
asheville
atlanta
Austin
binghamton
boston
buffalo
chicago
cleveland
colorado
columbus
dc
hawaii
houston
hudson mohawk
kansas city
la
madison
maine
miami
michigan
milwaukee
minneapolis/st. paul
new hampshire
new jersey
new mexico
new orleans
north carolina
north texas
nyc
oklahoma
philadelphia
pittsburgh
portland
richmond
rochester
rogue valley
saint louis
san diego
san francisco
san francisco bay area
santa barbara
santa cruz, ca
sarasota
seattle
tampa bay
united states
urbana-champaign
vermont
western mass
worcester

West Asia
Armenia
Beirut
Israel
Palestine

Topics
biotech

Process
fbi/legal updates
mailing lists
process & imc docs
tech