Why do you think one becomes a political prisoner?

A basic definition of a political prisoner is someone who is imprisoned because of beliefs contrary to that of his government. They are accused of committing ordinary crimes, instead of political acts, to prevent them from posting bail. They are also deprived of due process, civil and political rights.

What is the difference between a political prisoner and a criminal?

Some scholars have proposed criteria by which political prisoners can be differentiated from common criminals: the former are involved in some type of group struggle against ruling elites, whereas the latter’s activities typically involve an element of satisfying self-interests.

Was MLK a political prisoner?

In the United States, the term political prisoner has been used during the mid-20th century civil rights struggle and has been occasionally applied to individuals like Rosa Parks or Martin Luther King Jr., and later used for individuals imprisoned for objecting to US involvement in the Vietnam War.

Is political imprisonment illegal?

There is no internationally recognized legal definition of the concept, although numerous similar definitions have been proposed by various organizations and scholars, and there is a general consensus among scholars that “individuals have been sanctioned by legal systems and imprisoned by political regimes not for …

What did MLK say about unjust laws?

One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws. Any law that uplifts human personality is just.

What references to the Bible did he make in the letter?

In this text, Dr. King alludes to the biblical passage of Act 5:27-29 which says, “The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said.

Can the UN jail people?

The United Nations Detention Unit (UNDU) is a UN-administered jail. It is part of the Hague Penitentiary Institution’s Scheveningen location, more popularly known as Scheveningen Prison, in The Hague, Netherlands.

Is civil disobedience illegal?

Essentially, civil disobedience is illegal non-violent political action, done for moral reasons (this distinguishes it from crime).

What are some examples of unjust laws in the United States today?

Money Bail.