House-to-house raids by police unacceptable In this week’s online poll, Arab Times asked voters what they felt was the most unacceptable aspect of the recent police crackdown aimed at deporting residence/work permit and traffic violators. An overwhelming majority of voters, close to 50 percent, named raids at homes of expatriates as the most unacceptable. Speaking to the Arab Times, respondents said that it’s very humiliating to have cops coming into your homes at odd hours and searching every room. “Obviously, people are not going to be in their best clothes at such odd hours, and it’s so demeaning to present yourself in that state to total strangers.” Adding to the fury were the recent reports of police recklessness when cops entered the house of a Filipina in the predawn hours and raped her. There have also been other reports of people posing as policemen raping unsuspecting women. Respondent said that the law which is on paper has to be strictly implemented. They were referring to the rule that policemen are not allowed to search a house without a proper judicial warrant. “However, we know that these raids are very random, and policemen don’t carry a warrant.” While expatriates are aware of their rights, they are often forced into silence because of fear. “They do not want to challenge a policeman and rub his ego, because that would be inviting bigger trouble.” An expatriate lady living in Riggai told the Arab Times that a few policemen came knocking at her door recently, but she sternly refused to open. “They hanged around for sometime and left.” She was worried if they would come back to harass her, but they never showed up after that. In hindsight, she feels that her decision was wise. About 22 percent of the voters felt that people getting arrested while dropping off friends at the airport is the most unacceptable action by the police against expatriates. Speaking to Arab Times, people who supported this view said that in some cases, it is difficult to prove someone is your friend. “Friends need not always be working in the same company or living in the same apartment. We can have friends from other nationalities, living in different areas and working in different companies.” An aggrieved expatriate complained of how his friend, who had gone to drop another common friend, was recently arrested on charges of taxiing. “The common friend was initially my friend, and the person who got arrested met him through me.” The expatriate was trying to explain how complex friendships can be and why it is difficult to prove. Moreover, respondents demanded that the government should make it very clear as to how friendships can be proven. “To leave the decision to the arbitrary judgment of the arresting officer is unreliable and can lead to violation of human rights.” Roughly 19 percent of the voters complained that deportation for traffic violation is the most unacceptable. “This is a grossly disproportionate punishment. This is harking back to medieval times when heavy punishments were applied for petty crimes.” For 8 percent of the voters, revoking license while changing profession is also unfair. “Licenses should be issued only to judge a person’s driving skills. Once someone has proven himself or herself to be competent behind wheels, it means the person is deserving of the license. What does it matter what your job is? In the modern times, driving is a fundamental right. And it should not be seen as the prerogative of a few people having a certain educational qualification and earning a certain income. Another minority of voters, 4 percent, felt that checking the fitness of your cars on the road is peeving. “A car with valid registration book means that it is fit to run. It would be better if the annual fitness examination is made stricter so that car owners will ensure that the vehicles are in good condition to have them passed. When you impound cars randomly, irrespective of their fitness certificate, then it leads to uncertainties and fear.’ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By: Valiya S. Sajjad Arab Times Staff
Posted on: Tue, 24 Sep 2013 06:10:14 +0000
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