People should at least know how to seek rights: Experts

DAMMAM: A lack of knowledge of regulations which define the rights of individuals and the relationship between them and government and private institutions causes many problems. There is a remarkable imbalance in dealing with problems, both from the plaintiff and the defendant.
In some cases, the problem is not worth much trouble but there are times when making a complaint is the right thing to do in order to guarantee a person’s rights.
Lack of awareness of regulations, as well as the absence of a culture of rights and duties in the Kingdom, require public awareness campaigns which will spread knowledge of legal rights among all segments of society.
Concerning this, Salman bin Jarallah, an official in the General Directorate of Agricultural Affairs, said: “An official should be pleased when he receives purposeful and constructive criticism that is impartial and aims at the public benefit.” He suggested that the best way to make a complaint was a personal interview with the official which should clarify any possible misunderstandings.
Jarallah said that all citizens and residents can contact any authority using any means but to avoid using a false name or being abusive to an employee. These are two of the greatest obstacles to constructive criticism.
Naif Al-Salmani, an administrator in Hail Passport Department, said: “Many members of the community lose their rights as a result of inability to formulate their complaint properly, or because of a lack of awareness of the appropriate way to submit the complaint.”
Al-Salmani said that many people are unable to formulate their complaints by themselves, and so depend on individuals outside the courts and government departments to write their complaints to be presented to officials.
He stressed the importance of knowing how to make a complaint which will get attention and action; he says that this skill ought to be taught at both public and university levels. He also thinks that people should be trained on how to approach the legal system and seek their rights. This would be of greater use than focusing on theoretical matters.