The decision to lift the ban on camera-equipped mobile phones comes as a refreshing surprise.
Rather than give in to calls for bans based on the actions of a few misguided individuals, this new move marks a bold response by the government and a smack in the face to those among us who wish to take us back a thousand years and in fast reverse mode.
Technology used well serves all of us and the actions of those who choose to do otherwise must be met with a strong response. Why not, for example, publicize the miscreants guilty of using these mobile phones for unwarranted purposes? Why not publish their names along with their pictures in the various newspapers, along with the details of their offense?
Why not sentence them to community service such as picking trash of the streets, or planting trees, or whitewashing old trodden buildings? If indeed their numbers were significant, the city would appreciate the facelift it would receive through their free labor.
Recent reports suggest that women at weddings have taken the law into their own hands by smashing phones used for such purposes and beating up the offender. While that may be a bit too drastic, it seems to be a measure that serves them well.
But the law should come down hard on those who choose to violate the personal space of any individual by taking their pictures without permission. And ministries should also understand that blanket bans do not fare well with the rest of the populace.
• And calls for more human rights often perplex me. If we do not have basic civic sense, on what basis should we expect more human rights? We break laws so frequently that sadly it has become the norm. Watch our citizenry on the roads and you will understand what I am talking about. And this form of behavior encompasses all levels within our society.
The respect for neighbors and neighborhoods is another issue for those yelling out for human rights. If they cannot value the property or surroundings of others and end up trashing residential areas, should they be allowed more human rights? Or are their rights more worthy than those of others?
How about the rights of those in the working force? Are they getting their just rewards and progression up the ladder? Or is the organization so infested with nepotism that careers of promising individuals are snuffed out barely before it has started?
And the most vocal of those calling for such rights should perhaps look a little closer to home. Do they respect and honor the rights of their domestic staff? Do they pay salaries on time? Do they give their workers their fair due? Do they understand that these guest workers are far from home and very vulnerable, often at the selfish whims of their employers?
Let’s talk about human rights when we individually understand what they mean, and take the step to implement them within our own little circles. Let us individually contribute to making our communities better. And finally, let us not blame others until we have cleaned house ourselves.
