I HAD mixed reactions to ''Universality of human rights'' (South China Morning Post, April 3). The Japanese whom most other Asian countries are hounding over alleged war crimes, seem to have at least made an effort to stand up against the erosion of the UN's proposals for the Human Rights Summit in Vienna this year.
It is appalling that those countries which allege inhuman treatment during the war now wish to uphold such treatment in their countries under the pretext of cultural differences. I am sickened by their argument that the issues of food and medical shortages should be addressed before that of human rights.
The most disgraceful of all arguments is to say that Asian cultures cannot accommodate the Western model of human rights. It is the height of hypocrisy that Asian countries which promote their people as warm and welcoming for the sake of Western tourist dollars also say that these same people no need of similar Western rights. I as an Asian feel ashamed of this kind of rhetoric. I feel less human when identified as an Asian with a separate and inferior human rights concept and track record. Asians who feel the same as me should come forward and be heard. N. NAVANEETHAN Kowloon
