A Team
Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Religion, Rights of
Women, Political Freedom, Rights of Justice
Research By: Elizabeth Steele, Riya Patel, Jamele Johnson,
Christian Stone, Brian Brown
Elizabeth Steele
Page |1
Table of Contents
Introduction……………………………………………………………………1
Freedom of Speech…………………………………………………………….2
Freedom of Religion…………………………………………………………...4
Rights of Women………………………………………………………………7
Political Freedom………………………………………………………….…...9
Rights of Justice……………………………………………………………….11
Recommendation for Solution……………………………………………...….15
Sources…………………………………………………………………………16
Page |1
Introduction
The A-Team has come together to formulate a number of ideas with the objective to
promote a better Agrabah. Riddled with rising amounts of democratic rights violations, our
nation is in dire need of change. Our group consists of citizens of Agrabah who rose to the
opportunity to attempt to better the democracy in this country. With topics ranging from
freedom of speech to the rights of women, we aim to bring new hope to Agrabah. In this
document, you will find a new future for the justice system, religious entities and practices, an
expansive plan for the media, more security and empowerment for our women, and a more
efficient and reliable political system. Speaking for the case of renewed justice is Elizabdth
Steele, a well-known defense attorney at the capital’s courthouse. Jamele Johnson will support
his religious rights as a citizen. Brian Brown, an award winning journalist, will explain the
limited press issue in Agrabah. Riya Patel, leader of the Women’s Empowerment Organization,
will reveal her plan to create better lives for women. Lastly, political analyst Christian Stone
will unveil the unjust and corrupt government system of our nation and propose a solution to this
issue. Although our solutions may fail, we have triumphed in knowing that these issues are
finally getting the acknowledgment they deserve. Hail Agrabah, jewel of the desert!
Page |1
Freedom of Speech
The country of Agrabah is a newly founded democratic nation in an area that has much unrest.
As part of the Citizens for Change Forum it is necessary that certain measures must be taken in
order to preserve the way that things are currently being run. Many neighboring countries are
facing unrest over issues such as democracy, as there are people that agree with the idea, and
many that do not agree as well. Growing concern arises because there are anti-democratic
movements in countries all over the region which only poses a threat to the government that we
currently have. In addition to this Agrabah is a new nation and there are many struggles that we
face to keep our way of government going the way that it is. There are general threats to the way
that our Democracy is running as well as threats to specific liberties such as the freedom of
speech that many citizens are grateful for here in Agrabah. The goals of the Citizens for Change
forum is to preserve the Democracy that we have so that we do not have to succumb to the way
that things are being run in our neighboring countries. We want to improve the way things are
being run here in Agrabah, and the first step to doing so is preventing anti-democratic ideals
from entering our country. The newly founded nation of Agrabah must find a way to maintain
Democracy despite the challenges that it faces in doing so.
The first issue that needs to be mentioned are the general threats to freedom that we face in
Agrabah. These threats include the general lack of democratic conditions that this region has to
offer, terrorist groups such as ISIS, and the radical views that conflict with democratic ideals.
One important factor that we need to take into consideration is how the region that we are in has
not historically kept democracy as a successful form of government. “Today the Middle East
lacks the conditions, such as democratic political history, high standards of living, and high
Page |1
literacy rates, which stimulated democratic change in, for example, central Europe and East
Asia” (Basham, Preble). Without having a democratic history in this region it makes it even
harder to sustain the form of government that we currently have, which is why change is being
called for. It is important for the people of Agrabah to come together and demand this in order
for our newly democratic nation to be successful. We may not have the advantage like a nation
with an extensive history of democracy, however if we come together to preserve our values then
it increase our chances of being a successful nation.
Another key threat to the government of Agrabah is the emergence of terrorist organizations such
as ISIS. ISIS operates in several of our neighboring countries which poses a direct threat to our
nation. An article from the Daily Texan calls for strong condemnation of such organizations for
their brutality towards citizens in countries such as Iraq and Syria (Suri). Evidence from this
article claims that the terror group seizes territory as well as capturing and killing innocent
people. Ruthless organizations such as ISIS need to be prevented from entering the country of
Agraba in order to protect the civil liberties of everyone, as well as prevent the group from
coming in and taking over our territory. ISIS poses a strong threat to Agraba specifically in the
fact that they do take over territory and cause terror to its citizens. As a nation that is currently
weak and struggling to even keep its own government in control it is important to prevent
terrorist groups such as ISIS from taking control.
The last threat to our nation’s democratic values that needs to be mentioned is the conflict of the
radical views held by many, versus the democratic ideals that Agraba holds. Sharon Otterman
states in her article “Middle East: Islam and Democracy” that the views of radical Islam’s in
groups like al Qaeda conflict with democratic ideals (Otterman). These conflicting views held by
radicals are one of the main reasons that our nation is struggling with being able to keep a
Page |1
democracy running. With opposition groups distributing anti-democratic propaganda it makes it
that much harder for our nation to be able to stand the way that it is. This is why it is important
for the people of the Citizens Forum to speak out against the radical views that are held by
citizens in this region. If enough people were to speak out against this it will only strengthen the
democratic values that we currently have in place.
Now that the general threats to the struggling democracy in Agrabah have been addressed it is
important to mention the threats to freedom of speech that are being posed. These include the
general lack of freedom of speech in the region, beatings and killings for what people say or
report and the slaughtering of members of a Christian minority by ISIS. The first issue of these
that will be addressed is the general lack of freedom of speech in the Middle East. An article
titled “The Failure of Democracy in the Middle East” by Farhang Jahanpour goes into this issue
a little further. Jahanpour claims that the first requirement for a true democracy is free media as
well as freedom of expression, because without freedom in what one has to say, their options
remain limited. Jahanpour then goes on to state “In the light of above, many middle Eastern
governments, even those that have come to power as the result of elections, fall very short of the
ideal and cannot be regarded as true democracies” (Jahanpour). With so many of our neighboring
nations not having basic human rights such as freedom of speech, it makes it harder for the
country of Agrabah to remain a democracy, that is why it is important for us citizens to stand up
and speak against these violations of rights.
Another topic that should be mentioned is how people, even the ones’ living in functioning
democracies could be beaten or killed for what they say or believe in. “Though Tanzania is a
functioning democracy, a large number of journalists have been beaten or killed in recent years”
(Truth Unspoken to Power). This is very troubling news to read about knowing that Agrabah is a
Page |1
democracy in a relatively similar region to Tanzania. This proves that even in a democracy
journalist can be killed just for what they report. Problems like this are the reason why many of
us in Agrabah are struggling to keep our democratic government going. It is important that we
stand up against senseless killings and beatings in order to be more prosperous. Finally, it should
be mentioned that in addition to journalists being beaten or killed, ISIS is also taking a number of
people hostage. According to an article from CNN ISIS targeted and slaughtered more than 20
members of a Coptic Christian minority group in Egypt. With a number of people being killed
and beaten it is important for the citizens of Agrabah to stand up and fight for their democratic
rights in order to end such terrible things that are going on in the region in which we live.
Freedom of Religion
For many years Agrabah there has been a division between us citizens and the government. We
the citizens feel we are getting treated unfairly and that our rights as people are being violated
over and over. One particular law we as a community have known has been violated is our right
of freedom of religion. As the law state in Agrabah which is a democracy we have the right to
any religion that we would want to participate in and any spiritual act, but it doesn’t seem that
our government has lived up to that law values and what the amendment states in Agrabah
Constitution. It seems as if our country is leaning more to other foreign countries government,
Page |1
which have been similar to dictatorships. It already doesn’t seem like a democracy, because our
rights feel unnecessary and overlooked. There has been countless times state officials have not
answered our questions of why don’t they value religion anymore. Where it becomes less and
less accumulated in our country. Instead they ignore our questions and what it stands for
basically not caring what we have to say. In my opinion our government thinks religion isn’t a
big part of our society anymore and has no reasoning whatsoever. That religion is not a core
value of life which it is to me and many citizens of Agrabah. There has to be some way we
citizens stand up for our rights and make a difference against our government.
Myself as a citizen of Agrabah, I am currently catholic and have been catholic almost my whole
entire life. I value religion a lot, where I also participate in different religion functions that occur
around Agrabah. It has seemed as if the government is watching over us or really doesn't want
citizens to participate in religious acts. There has been times at different churches where there are
random stranglers that stand and watch others participate and practice their religion. Any school
that have been related with religion such as catholic schools and christian schools have been shut
down with no apparent reason either. Where now the government is taking away children
education that evolves religion. The government even went farther by closed churches down
around our community without any explanation at all. Also the churches that are still running
have been tampered with or even destroyed, and our government does nothing to fix it. This is
where citizens feel that our government doesn’t care about religion and the power it has for
citizens in our country and around the world. Where if there isn't a change of heart by the
government, Agrabah will most likely be corrupted just as the other nations if we do not keep a
democracy in place and its rights.
Page |1
Religion is important because it provides an outlet to people and a way to express themselves. It
has been around for many centuries and has been a powerful tool to use. Newsroom stated that
“Religious freedom promotes stability in a pluralistic society”(Newsroom) This quote from the
article on Newsroom website is just example of what religion can do for the world, it joins
people together to unify them from different races, backgrounds and more. Where there is peace
between people of all different races where they attended these religious events or church to
better themselves, and their understanding of god. This is just one example why religion is very
important to society. Also it can stop violence. Religion is used for peaceful reasoning instead of
aggressive force. According to Newsroom website again, “but when limited, it correlates to
increased violence and conflict.”(Newsroom). As stated religion can provide stability, and
mutual agreements between others but when limited all hell will break loose, which seem will
eventually happen Agrabah. As stated on The Heritage Foundation website, “Wherever religious
freedom is high, there tends to be fewer incidents of armed conflict, better health outcomes,
higher levels of earned income, and better educational opportunities for women”(8). This
statement basically sums up that religion is one of the most positive things in our society. That it
provides stability in faith and also can make you mentally, where there is less corruption and
good deeds going around.
Religion also teaches you many different values that you can use in life. For example I went to a
catholic school when I was in high school. We attended mass which is basically church where
we sit and sing along to different songs. Also we had classes where everything was about
religion, the catholic church and Bible also. From those classes and going to catholic school I
learned many core values about the catholic church and also a better mindset on life. Church is
also a sacred places where many great things occur and go on. Many people use the church as a
Page |1
getaway pass from life. It provides time with God and loves one if they attend it with you. When
our government started tearing down and taking away citizens church privileges many people did
not know what to do.
Rights of Women
A major global women’s rights treaty was approved by the majority of the world’s nations a few
decades ago. In the past, women have been oppressed and they were treated as totally different
species and that seemed like a dark tunnel with no hope, dreams, or sense of fulfillment in our
country. Although there are laws in our country which protect women, however, there are still
certain rules and regulation which does not completely support women’s right and many women
still do not have equal opportunities to realize rights recognized by law. Governments are not
living up to their promises under the Women’s Convention to protect women from
discrimination and violence such as rape and female genital mutilation. Regardless of many
successes in empowering women, numerous issues still exist in all areas of life, such as: ranging
from the cultural, unequal pay for equal work, right to abortion, and Physical abuse.
In Agrabah, there have been huge changes for women in terms of employment since past
decades. Women have started working outside their home and trying to make equal contribution
toward family; yet, they are often paid less than men. An article titled, Equal Work for Equal
Pay: Not Even College Helps Women, written by Korva Coleman argues, “female college
graduates earned 89 percent of what men did, women earned 86 percent compared to men. In
Page |1
sales occupations, women earned 77 percent of what men took home.” Our suggestion is that we
should negotiate for equal pay for all. Gender equality furthers the cause of child survival and
development for all of society, so the importance of women’s rights and gender equality should
not be underestimated.
Even though we have laws which defend rape victim; however, rape is one of the most common
violation that women or girls face. One of the biggest reasons why rape survivors in our country
is because women/girls do not report the assaults. According to MENA Gender and
Development E-Brief, “Human Rights Watch has documented in many countries the way the
criminal justice system, including police officers, medico-legal examiners, prosecutors and
judges do not believe victims, refuse to investigate their complaints, and deny them access to
justice” (12). In order to reduce these problems, we would recommend multiple things, such as:
special training for all sexual assault agents, access to immediate medical care in the result of
any sexual assault, actions to protect the privacy of victims, and effective rules and regulation for
victims when the criminal justice system mistreats them.
Physical abuse is common in all parts of the world. No matter how hard we try to protect abused
women by passing laws, it is still the single most common cause of injury to women. According
to the date from the criminal justice system, “[n]early one-third of female homicide victims
reported in police records are killed by an intimate partner” (Federal Bureau of Investigation). At
present, we have penalty against physical abuse, depending on the degree of violence and the
injuries suffered; however, it is a crime that is punishable by fines, court ordered counseling,
and/or jail time. In reality, it is not enough. There is no way the legal system can protect a
woman all the time whose husband is going to kill or beat her, because the justice system is not
always successful, we need to help women protect themselves and to make abusers accountable
Page |1
for their actions. We would recommend public awareness campaigns which address violence
against women and the introduction of human rights programs into school curricula.
Both men and women suffer from forced marriage, but mostly women are usually at the risk of
forced marriage. Typically families put pressure on the women or try to emotionally blackmail
them, to make them believe that if they do not agree for this marriage than they are going against
the religion. According to Child and Forced marriage, “…Even in countries with constitutions
and laws that comply with the convention, because of custom, tradition and/or the failure to
enforce domestic legal provisions, girls’ childhood often ends by girls becoming girl brides, by
becoming the victims of discrimination.” To force someone into marriage is completely wrong
and I strongly believe that we should not afraid from addressing it. This issue is not something
that only one person can do; we, as a nation, have to raise our voice and ensure that enacting the
act under the misconception of culture or religion is no longer a justifiable action.
Political Freedom
The right of freedom of association is paramount in any democratic nation. This freedom comes
in many forms and definitions. According to the United States Constitution, the most influential
democratic document, freedom of association is the right to join or leave groups of a person's
own choosing. Findlaw.com mentions that “freedom of association is primarily manifested
through the right to join a trade union, free-speech debate societies, political parties, or any other
club or association such as religious groups, eternities, sports clubs” (Findlaw). The most
Page |1
important of these examples in the forums opinion is the right to association of political parties.
It is universally known that political freedom is the cornerstone of democratic ideology. Without
this right, democracy will fail and the members of the national citizen’s forum fear with the
heavy restrictions on Agrabah’s citizens that this great nation will crumble.
In our lifetime, we have seen the great transition of our nation. From a government led by the
military brought upon by a coup, Agrabah rose to the calling of her citizens for freedom and
justice. Democracy has ruled for years, but until recently the foundation of the principles in
which our nation stood has ceased to be the main ide-ology of our government. Examples of this
injustice can be the most easily seen in the political sphere. The association of oneself to a
certain political party has been all but destroyed. Heavy restrictions are placed upon political
parties seen as the opposition. Political assemblies of these parties have become illegal without
permission of the rul-ing party and as result of the ousting of the ruling party has become
impossible. An-other example of our dwindling rights comes in the form of voting. The idea of
citizens voting for their government is key to democracy. In Agrabah, our voting privileges have
been tethered to the barbaric new doctrine of government. In order to vote in this nation we must
complete an examination concerning the rudimentary history of Agrabah. As simple as it may
seem, the correct answers are dictated by the growing incompetence of the government. Failing
this examination revokes your right to vote in the coming election. Not only does this go against
the most basic principle of democracy which is the inclusion of every single citizen, but the test
skews correct answers to favor ruling government. The last example of our decrepit system of
election is the corruption in which the victor is selected. It is not a rumor that the ballot is rigged,
it is a fact. Not once since the beginning of our democratic system has the ruling party been
ousted. Any attempt to defeat our current government has been in vain. Because the govern-
Page |1
ment tallies the votes, it does what it wants with the election. These acts nullify the en-tire voting
process.
Although our plights are overbearing, We are not the only nation suffers from this injustice.
According to freedomhouse.com, there are multiple nations that share our problems. A large
number of middle-eastern countries are seen as politically un-free. A few examples are; Iraq,
Syria, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Oman. In fact, according to this organization the Middle
East is only five percent “free”(Freedomhouse). Only since the Arab Spring of 2011 has any
country in this region rebelled for democracy. The nations who did not succeed in democratic
rebellion paid dearly for the attempt. Rebellions for this cause are normally a result from the
bourgeois uprising against the proletariat classes. War, genocide, and immense blood-shed are
possible results from failed insurgencies and our region is no stranger to these atrocities. For
example, the Syrian Civil War has left over 200,000 citizens dead according to the Violations
Documentation Center in Syria (Center for Doc.). The National Forum of Citizens wants at all
cost to avoid insurgency in Agrabah, therefore these issues must be addressed and remedied.
Rights of Justice
It has come to our attention that violations of our rights to justice have been occurring frequently.
Recently, the land of Agrabah has claimed itself as a Democracy. Due to recent changes in
government it is important that we follow the guidelines of what a Democracy really is so we
don’t violate anyone and make the people of the land feel anything less than what they are. This
Page |1
important because if we don’t follow through with Democracy, then what would we call
ourselves? Minions? Servants? Submissives? These violations against the peoples justice needs
to end! We are being made a fool by our surrounding countries.
I am a defense attorney with the Abu court house and have been for 10 years now. I have
represented many clients that claim they are being violated against their rights to justice.
However, with my experience working at the court house and representing these clients I know
that we didn’t have many rights before we were a Democracy. Before, many rights were violated
based on the fact that we didn’t have any rights as human beings to begin with. Now that we are
a Democracy, rights have been granted to the people and with that being said it is important to
follow through the rights of the people otherwise, we are violating their rights.
On a recent case I have been working on for two months now I was dealing with a man named
Jenaile Kaniskiv. This man was walking home from work on a Tuesday afternoon when he was
confronted by a patrol officer. The patrol officer immediately started asking him accusatory
questions regarding a crime that occurred five hours prior. Mr. Kaniskiv immediately realized he
was being violated his rights and tried to ask “why” he was being accused of something he
hadn’t done. The officer charged him with the crime and on top of that resisting. Mr. Kaniskiv
now sits in a jail cell at the Agrabah Corrections Facility on charges that were in complete
violation
Realizing how wrongfully convicted Mr. Kaniskiv was I have been researching Democracy and
other countries that live under a Democracy. According to a case in the United States of America
Chavez v. Martinez, No. 01-1444 it highlights that when being asked accusatory questions you
Page |1
must be read a Miranda Warning which just means a person is being read his/her rights by the
person asking questions preventing self-incrimination.
After looking at this case I can see how the rights of justice should be followed and now realize
that based on other countries rights, this would be a direct violation causing someone to selfincriminate themselves. Individuals that are possible suspects to a crime that has occurred should
always be read their rights so that they are aware of what they can do to prevent being
wrongfully convicted of a crime. Mr. Kaniskiv is sitting in a jail cell because an officer failed to
do his job correctly creating Mr. Kaniskiv to self-incriminate himself without any proven
evidence. Based on that, he was not given a fair trial, in fact he was not given a trial at all for
what has happened.
This is where I come into play. I am to defend this client and give him his rights as a human
being within the Agrabah community, and help him get what he deserves as a citizen apart of
Democracy.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is a newly organized federal institution within our
country. They are known in the United States of America and ever since we became a
Democracy we recently adopted the agency to help keep Agrabah safe. The Federal Bureau of
Investigation has a civil rights department that helps keep the citizens of Agrabah from being
victimized/violated. According to an overview of The FBI Federal Bureau of Investigation Civil
Rights: The Bureau initiated more than 1,350 civil rights cases (1). Having the FBI as a federal
agency for our country helps prevent violations against the people especially since they have a
special department that helps against those violated.
Page |1
According to an article Justice, Equality, and Rights by: John Tasioulas a writer for the oxford
handbook of the history of ethics talks about how Democracy is a form of government that gets
the people involved as well as them feeling trusting in such. Another concept he likes to touch on
is the ethics of how one should live. Basically, is it right? Is how we live in Agrabah right? If
violations are occurring I would go with no…
In consideration to this letter I hope as the Editorial Board you can see how the right to justice is
important to help make Democracy work. Without this right our people here in Agrabah will
continuously be jailing citizen for crimes they may not have committed. We need to make sure
our people are getting fair trials and being asked appropriate questions with the knowledge of
their individual rights otherwise, we will have jails full of wrongfully convicted people
questioning “What is a Democracy?” Is that how we want our people to refer to our form of
government as? Is that how we want to be looked upon by surrounding countries? What about
the rest of the world?
Our rights to justice are important, and we need to act on the violations and make it right.
Page |1
Recommendation for a Solution
Our team needs the Citizen’s Forum’s help to get Agrabah a shot in living in a Democracy, in an
acceptable way. By providing life stories, evidence and personal experiences about the
Democracy we are living in right now, it is safe to say that we are heading in the wrong
direction, a direction that could lead our country to complete failure.
Now as a team, we reach out to the forum, to help improve our society and make it an acceptable
place to live, otherwise we might as well go back to a dictatorship and we all know how that
worked out from experience. Choosing a Democracy to be Agrabah’s form of government was
the best decision we have made and we are definitely improving from the way our country use to
be, by far. Now it’s time, time to give our citizens of Agrabah a reason to live for, a country full
of commitment and acceptance, given rights and freedoms as well as the ability to be individuals.
All of this is possible with the help of the forum. We need you to help create an overbearing
Democracy that leaves the citizens of Agrabah feeling like they are safe and sound at home.
Page |1
Sources
Tasioulas, John. Justice, Equality, And Rights: The Oxford Handbook of the History of Ethics.
Academia.edu
The FBI, Federal Bureau of Investigation Civil Rights: Civil Rights Program Overview
The Leadership Conference: The Nation’s Premier Civil & Human Rights Coalition. Supreme
Court Issues Split Opinion on Fifth Amendment Protections
"Annotation 12 - First Amendment - FindLaw." Findlaw. Web. 10 Mar. 2015.
<http://constitution.findlaw.com/amendment1/annotation12.html#1>.
"Center for Documentation of Violations in Syria." Center for Documentation of
Violations in Syria. Web. 12 Mar. 2015. <http://www.vdc-sy.info/index.php/
en/>.
Web. 12 Mar. 2015. <https://freedomhouse.org/regions/middle-east-and-northafrica#.VQXXeCnXlz8>.
Basham, Patrick, and Christopher A. Preble. "The Trouble with Democracy in the Middle East."
Cato Institute. N.p., 30 Nov. 2003. Web. 13 Mar. 2015.
Page |1
Jahanpour, Farhang. "The Failure of Democracy in the Middle East."Payvand. N.p., 16 Aug.
2013. Web. 13 Mar. 2015.
Otterman, Sharon. "Middle East: Islam and Democracy." Council on Foreign Relations. N.p., 19
Sept. 2003. Web. 13 Mar. 2015.
Smith-Spark, Laura, and John Vause. "Activist: ISIS Holds 150 Christian Hostages, Will
Threaten to Kill Them." CNN. N.p., 25 Feb. 2015. Web. 13 Mar. 2015.
Suri, Jeremi. "Islamic State Practices Threaten Universal Human Rights Standards." The Daily
Texan. N.p., 9 Feb. 2015. Web. 13 Mar. 2015.
"Truth Unspoken to Power." The Economist. N.p., 29 Jan. 2015. Web. 13 Mar. 2015.
"Child and Forced Marriage - Manifestation of Gender Discrimination." United Nations Human
Rights. 11 July 2014. Web. 14 Mar 2015.
Coleman, Korva. "Equal Pay For Equal Work: Not Even College Helps Women." The Two-Way
24 Oct 2012. Web. 11 Mar 2015.
“Crime in the United States, 2000.” Federal Bureau of Investigation. 23 Oct 2001. Web. 11 Mar
2015.
"MENA Gender and Development E-Brief." The MIddle East and North Africa Gender and
Development E-Brief. (1 June 2013): 12. Web. 15 Mar 2015.
Treston Wheat, The Daily Beacon, Opinion: Religious freedom necessary for democracy, Oct
13, 2010
Page |1
Jennifer A. Marshall, The Heritage foundation, Why does Religion Matter, December 20, 2010
Tony Campolo, Christianity Today, Why the church is Important, May 1, 2007
Thomas Reese, National Catholic Reporter, Religious Freedom is a fundamental right , May 16,
2014
Newsroom, Why We Need Religion Freedom, February 3, 2012
UN General Assembly, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 18, 1948
Page |1
R