Freedom fighter
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 | This article possibly contains original research. (May 2009) |
"Freedom fighter" is a term for those engaged in an armed struggle, the main cause of which is to achieve, in their or their supporters' view, freedom for themselves or obtain freedom for others.[citation needed] Though the literal meaning of the words could include anyone who fights for the cause of freedom, in common use it is restricted to those who are actively involved in an armed rebellion, rather than those who campaign for freedom by peaceful means (though they may use the title in its literal sense). However, a person who is campaigning for freedom through peaceful means may still be classed as a freedom fighter, though in common usage they are called political activists.[citation needed]
In India, "freedom fighter" is a term used to describe the followers of Mahatma Gandhi in the Indian Independence movement against British rule, which was fought by peaceful non cooperation with the British government in India without the use of arms (Satyagrah).[citation needed]
Terminology
People who describe themselves (or are described by their supporters) as "freedom fighters" tend to be called assassins, rebels, or terrorists by others. This leads to the aphorism "One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter".[citation needed] During the Cold War, the term freedom fighter was used by the United States[citation needed] and other Western Bloc countries[citation needed] to describe rebels in countries controlled by communist states or otherwise under the influence of the Soviet Union, including rebels in Hungary, the anti-communist Contras in Nicaragua, UNITA in Angola, the Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka, and the multi-factional mujahideen in Afghanistan and Jammu and Kashmir.[citation needed] The Eastern Block Also Would Call Palestine Fighter And other Communistic fighters in and around the world and would sometimes refer to their own armed forces as "Freedom Fighters"
Although the label freedom fighter is associated with specific groups, freedom fighters are seen as people who are using physical force in order to cause a change in the political and or social order. This is done in response to oppression or perceived oppression by a internal or external body.[citation needed]
A freedom fighter is different from a mercenary as they gain no direct material benefit from being involved in a conflict, though they may have no personal reason for being involved. Thus they are not considered mercenaries under the Geneva Convention and thus may in certain circumstances be protected by it (Mercenaries are not protected under the Geneva Convention and can be tried as criminals).[citation needed]
Media reporting
An effort has been made by the BBC to avoid the phrases "terrorist" or "freedom fighter," except in attributed quotes, in favor of neutral terms such as "militant", "guerrilla", "assassin", "insurgent", "paramilitary" or "militia." [1]
See also
