Is a commitment to human rights taking root in Enfield? A striking plaque unveiled on 7th December at the Civic Centre suggests that, despite setbacks, it might be.
The plaque itself was made at a celebration organised by the Enfield Civil Society Forum and held at the Civic Centre on World Human Rights Day - 10th December - last year. A butterfly in flight - emerging perhaps from a chrysalis of oppression - symbolises human freedom. It is a ceramic mosaic to a design by Debbie Dean, of local art project Art Start, but actually made by many hands on the day, including the hands of many children.
Now one year later, to mark World Human Rights Day 2006, the grouted and finished plaque was unveiled by Bruce Kent, vice-president of CND and distinguished human rights activist. Before whisking away the United Nations flag, with which the plaque had been appropriately shrouded, Bruce spoke of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights - proclaimed by the UN General Assembly on 10th December 1948 - as a turning point in human history, but one which was not just an affair for distant committees of the powerful discussing issues of peace and war. What was happening in Enfield was an important recognition that its ideals needed to be put into practice at every level, including the local.
Council leader Michael Rye recalled with pleasure his experience as a history teacher explaining to children the significance of the UN. He was followed by Glenn Bassett, speaking on behalf of the Enfield branch of Amnesty International, and Bill Linton, secretary of the Enfield and the Barnets branch of the United Nations Association. Councillor Achilleas Georgiou joined them in emphasising the need to bring human rights into the life of the community. Roger Hallam, chair of the Enfield Civil Society Forum, quoted from the Universal Declaration: "We the peoples of the United Nations, determined ... to practise tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbours, ... have resolved to combine our efforts".
"Despite setbacks", we said. After a general election campaign in 2005 in which two Enfield Conservative candidates indulged in strident anti-immigration rhetoric (unsuccessfully as it transpired, since a mature electorate rejected both), community relations had returned to their normal state of relative council inertia on the one hand and hard grind, mainly in the voluntary sector, on the other. However three weeks ago the deputy leader informed the full council that Edmonton - the most deprived area of the borough, and home to a highly diverse community - resembled a "UN feeding station". The mayor forced immediate withdrawal, but clumsy explanations by a colleague (see Guardian Diary, 6th December: click here) suggested he meant to say that refugees in particular - having fled oppression, dislocation and perhaps torture - are expected to turn up in Britain next morning with perfect English, possessing 5 or more GCSE A*-E grades and fully "job ready" - even if not permitted by the government to work.
So it was especially good to see the council leader flanking Bruce Kent to praise human rights and the UN.
Photos John Cooper, Middlesex University
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