Nelson Rolihlahla
Mandela – AHRC salutes a great man, embraces his Legacy
A Statement from the Asian
Human Rights Commission
December 6, 2013
The Asian Human Rights
Commission joins all people across the world to salute Nelson
Rolihlahla Mandela of South Africa, who passed away at the age of 95
yesterday.
In the person of Nelson
Mandela the world can proudly celebrate a towering personality, whose
life has universal relevance for all times to come. His life and
struggles have always focused on the greatest of ideals that any human
being could aspire to: equality, freedom, dignity, truth, and – above
all – love for all. And all of these qualities are centered in the
greatest of the ideals of human rights.
In his life achievements he
has justly acquired the honor of being a role model for every child
born on this earth, irrespective of race, gender, colour, ethnicity or
any other factor.
Nelson Mandela lived in
extremely troubled times. Born a black, in apartheid South Africa, he
knew very well the bitterness of being discriminated against. This
profound knowledge of 'the humanity of the oppressed creature' guided
him to become a relentless and uncompromising freedom fighter who
remained loyal and steadfast to his fellow sufferers and, at the same
time, made him a universal figure. Equipped with this knowledge, born
from suffering, he takes his place amongst the other greats of this
world, such as Frederick Douglass of the United States and Bhimrao
Ramji Ambedkar of India. Together with them, Mandela will remain an
inspiration for all oppressed peoples struggling for their freedom and
will retain a dignified place in the fabric of their societies.
Nelson Mandela gives meaning
to the words 'ideal political prisoner'. The twenty-seven years of his
imprisonment have now reached a state of universality, gifting all who
live under oppressive political regimes a reminder of the value of
making sacrifices to end their oppression, to achieve freedom.
Nelson Mandela is also an
icon of faithfulness and truth. This was aptly demonstrated when he –
even after achieving the status of a great and influential global
political leader – was able to humbly admit to his son's death due to
HIV/Aids, and continued work towards the prevention of Aids globally.
All the issues on which
Mandela fought hard need further fight and struggle, for which his
life will ever remain an inspiration. The defeat of apartheid has not
turned South Africa into a paradise. The country is caught in global
contradictions of harsh economic and political consequence. The
tyranny of global economic bondage is a threat that humanity as a
whole – white black, and brown, male and female – must face. Nelson
Mandela was profoundly aware of this global phenomenon, and to his
admirers in the more developed countries his message would be to face
this global challenge which generates misery for the greater part of
humanity.
Nelson Mandela would
certainly say that – in order to bear the fruits of the struggles that
he shared with freedom loving people across the earth – major changes
need to be ushered in for a more just and a fair distribution of
resources in the world. Facing this mammoth challenge is the only way
forward, to continue Nelson Mandela's legacy and walk the path he
would wish for his fellow beings.
Nelson Mandela, the
uncompromising freedom fighter, was also a man capable of forgiving
and reconciling with his opponents. The manner in which the victory
over apartheid was used to unify a country and bring together people
of all walks of life is another of his great legacies. In the art of
reconciliation, the lessons he has left for us will remain an
inspiration for all humanity, for all times.
We salute a great man, and
we embrace his great legacy.