Academics, former leaders stress human rights

By Nicole LaPrade

Countries must be more vigilant in preserving human rights -- especially those of terrorist suspects following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, said several academics and former world government officials last week.

The talks were part of a day-long symposium last Friday, the day after world-renowned Catholic theologian Hans Kung spoke about religious challenges today.

The event was hosted by the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics about global leadership and ethics.

Swiss-born Kung addressed a full house in Mayer Theatre, which included students, faculty, community members and other high-ranking government officials, such as the former prime ministers of Australia and Jordan, and former U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara.

He spoke of common religious and ethical heritages of all the main world religions that make up what he called the "global ethic" and its relevance to the prospect of peace in this age of globalization.

Kung noted that all the major religions of the world have the same ethical standards.

The global ethic calls for the humane treating of every person and extends the golden rule to nations, social and ethical groups, religions, as well as individuals, he said.

"If you know where you are standing and if you have a steadfastness in your own faith, then you also have the freedom to be absolutely open for all the others," Kung said.

He said that he believes and hopes that under the new pope, Christian churches will be able to unite and acknowledge the ministries of each other.

"I do not hope for the unity of the world religions - but I hope for peace among the world religions," Kung said.

Malcolm Fraser, the former Australian prime minister, used harsh language in a speech Friday that assailed leaders who supported "extreme action" in combatting terrorism, such as detaining suspects indefinitely without trial.

"The world had to react forcefully" to 9/11 -- but "how effectively is the question," Fraser said.

In his speech Thursday, Kung addressed what he called the "new paradigm" in international relations, or new world order, where peace between nations is possible through global ethics.

He said that if the new paradigm in international relations had taken hold, events such as Sept. 11, 2001, and the events that followed would possibly not have occurred.

Kung sighted many post-modern ideas including peace and women's rights. Environmental and ecumenical movements were able to take hold after the two world wars and he cited that there is progress in humanity because people do not hold the same ideas about such things as war, the economy and ecology as 30 years ago.

He called for the globalization of ethics, not a set standard of ethics and moral convictions.

* Jack Gillum contributed to this report. ̢۬* Contact Nicole LaPrade at (408) 554-4546 or nlaprade@scu.edu.