Fix your own problems first
On December 10, it was World Human Rights Day and this year’s slogan was Human Rights 365. The United Nations theme is to emphasise that every day should be human rights day.
Globally we see daily human rights violations observed in Iraq, Syria and in almost all developing countries. Violations are on the rise and it is increasing day by day. In Sri Lanka, Amnesty International had put forward an inquiry into human rights violations done during their civil war because a lot of innocent people were killed.
The recent revelations by the United States government say that the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has violated human rights and treated detainees in an inhumane manner. Some of the people were captured after the September 11 attacks, but not even found guilty. A lot of innocent people were tortured in undisclosed locations. These revelations led me to believe that the US ranks first in human rights violations. The US should first fix their issues and then try to resolve and interfere in the affairs of other countries.
From Mr Eappen Elias
Dubai
Price hike
There is an all around price hike in action. Rents are up, taxi fares increased, Metro fares are up, eating outside has become more expensive than before. According to the October 2014 results of the Dubai Rental Price Index, apartment rental prices registered the highest increase, at 20.2 per cent year-on-year. The price hike is disturbing the lives of the low income group and creating unrest among the general people. The authorities are requested to curb the increasing trend in prices and take appropriate measures to give maximum relief to expatriates.
From Mr Mumtaz Hussain
Dubai
Why do we do this?
It has been noticed that some people behave as though it is their birthright to litter. This begins from right inside the house to anywhere and everywhere. In households that have maids, children feel that it is the maid’s duty to clear any mess they throw. As they use the lift, people feel that it is not bad to leave the empty chips packet or a banana peel inside the lift itself. Sometime I see while people and children wait outside for a taxi or school bus, that it is very convenient to leave their garbage - the empty juice packet or anything that was being used to eat or drink, while waiting. Playgrounds in schools give a very big example of the same. It even goes to the extent of leaving a full sandwich or a burger or just throwing it down. Public parks also are in a state of mess when the crowds begin to leave. Why are we like this?
From Ms Mohana Iyer
UAE
Dangerous driving
I have been noting on my way to work at the traffic signals how people will blatantly break the rules of the road. There are five most notable rules broken while people are driving that I witness often and it needs to change. First, many are talking on their mobiles while driving. Some are not wearing their seatbelts and others are keeping their toddlers standing in the front seat while driving!
I see smoking while there are children inside the car and sometimes adults letting children peep out through the rear window when the car is in motion – shouldn’t they have their seatbelt on?
By doing these things and neglecting the laws that are in place for a reason, the drivers are not only putting their life at risk, but also the pedestrians and the children inside. I do hope that the police will take stringent action against these drivers. This happens at any time of the day. From what I see, about 70 per cent of them violate the rules.
From Mr Karthi Kumar Murari
UAE
The power of the internet
Since I moved to the UAE a few years ago, I began following various newspapers from my hometown and surrounding area on Facebook and Twitter. Articles from the area have been showing up in my newsfeed frequently, but the other day I couldn’t help but ask myself: “Where did all this crime come from?” Reports on robberies, break ins and even murders seem to be showing up in an extraordinary regularity.
Upon further thought, I believe that it is most likely due to the proliferation of news on the internet and the quantity in which it is able to offer me. As a child, I never read the hardcopy newspaper even though it was delivered to the house every day. Only when reports started showing up in my Facebook – in my social life – did I even realise they were happening.
In this way, I believe that even though I am older now, this is happening to younger generations and making them more aware of the happenings in their community. It really goes to show the power and reach of the internet to better communities. Awareness grows knowledge and wisdom with time and this can only be good for the social and political fabric of my country.
From Ms Annie Ulysse
Dubai
We are better than technology
I don’t think that humans ever need to worry about being beaten by our own technology. The disappearance of the Malaysian Airlines aircraft is not blamed on technology, as some would like to believe, but on humans only. The reason behind this is that technology will only be helpful to a certain extent. Our thinking and imagination is vast and beyond, to an extent, what we can find in various solutions with technology.
Technology can never be a match for human cunning. Ultimately, technology is made by humans. At present, I don’t think that technology is fully developed. Humans are adding and making changes and coming up with new technology every day. Technology focuses on one direction that humans make. This is all because humans are able to think in various dimensions – something we will always best technology at.
I think that technology will help man to an extent, but the thinking of humans is superior because we are able to come up with various solutions beyond technology in terms of decisions and rescuing people.
Logic, reasoning, emotion and intuition will help us to get the ultimate results. The abilities listed above give us wider range of choices, decisions, opinions and we are able to quickly act upon them. The direction of technology is based on the program that humans make.
From Mr Sharar Showkath
Sharjah
Smoking around malls
We are all aware that smoking is bad for our health, yet we ignore this warning and continue to risk our lives. In doing so, we tend to forget the damage this can cause to others around us, who are forced to inhale passive smoke: the elderly, sick, expectant mothers and children. Does this seem fair?
The authorities in the UAE have taken a great decision of banning people from smoking in public places, such as malls, cinemas and parks. While this ensures that we all breathe clean and fresh air, it has its own disadvantages. It is unpleasant to be greeted by multitudes of people standing or sitting outside the mall entrances and smoking. It is enough to put off any non-smoker. I have been suffering from severe bronchitis for many years now, and I am on regular medication. It is no surprise that smoke-filled air worsens my condition and makes breathing more difficult, as well as intensifies my cough. My experiences while visiting the mall is usually ruined before it even begins due to the inconsiderate behaviour of some people who cannot control their urge to smoke.
I request the concerned authorities to kindly take this issue into serious consideration and look into strict measures to protect the public from the adverse effects of smoking. Not only does this pollute the air, but also is an eyesore to witness. Smoking in and around public places should not be permitted under any circumstances.
From Ms Fatima Suhail
Sharjah
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