Letters

Human rights and human wrongs

The Editor:

HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCATES play an important role in defending the rights of citizens, citizens who may be considered defenceless, and who otherwise would have been crushed by what at times seems to be an unjust system. But I also believe that they can, by the same means, let citizens know what rights they do not have.

There have been several incidents in which citizens, in carrying out demonstrations, damaged roads, properties and stopped hardworking, law-abiding citizens from going about their lawful business. It would be good if human rights personnel, in making their declarations, informed our citizens that it is our right to hold peaceful demonstrations, it is our right to voice our concern's in a non-disruptive manner, but it is not our right to obstruct traffic, or pedestrians from going about their business. It is not our right to damage properties (public or private); it is not our right to take the law into our own hands; it is not our right to mob and kill suspected perpetrators; it is not our right to loot and plunder establishments.

Human rights advocates speak about the high incidence of police killings. I also believe the number is too high and should be seriously looked at. In the same vein, they could let citizens know that it is not our right to carry illegal weapons, it is not our right to fire on the police, it is not our right to obstruct the police in carrying out their duties, rather it is our legal right to obey the laws of the land. It is our voluntary responsibility to co-operate with law enforcement agencies by giving information to the police that could help solve a crime.

Human rights lobbyists may say it is not their responsibility to educate the public, but it can only be in their and the country's best interest, for while we may not be affected now, there is no telling when we will become the next victim of people who believe they have the right to take the law in their own hands, wreak mayhem on innocent lives and destroy properties.

These demonstrations are becoming more and more vicious. Think about going about your lawful business only to come upon a demonstration and before you know it, your vehicle is set on fire, as was the garbage truck in Brown's Town recently, or set upon and beaten as was the TVJ cameraman, or have your business, which you have worked hard and long to establish, looted. No one should consider himself exempt. With the turn these demonstrations are taking, this scenario is quite possible.

I am, etc.,

Denise Hunter

denesha17@hotmail.com

NCU

Mandeville

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