By Liaquat Ali Khan

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The people's right to know the truth is emerging as the most important right in the realm of human rights . This right is important because governments are secretive and lie to the people. Some government lie more than others. Governments hide summary executions, torture, disappearances, trafficking of women, and mistreatment of migrant workers. Governments engaged in war do not disclose the consequences of war.

The U.S. has waged war against Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya. Hundreds of civilians have been killed, children have been crippled, women have been raped, and houses have been demolished. U.S. drone attacks in Pakistan kill civilians on a regular basis. The U.S. government must tell us the harm it has inflicted on these nations. Likewise, the U.S. government must disclose the facts surrounding the assassination of Osama bin Laden. Conspiracy theories thrive and occupy the media and the minds when authentic information is missing. Secrecy in the name of national security is abused. We, the peoples of the world demand that governments change the culture of secrecy and dark violations of human rights. They must tell the truth. The peoples of the world have the right to know the truth for without this right, no right can be safeguarded.