LONDON'S BURNING. WHAT HAPPEN TO VALUES OF THE WEST

The scene horrendous and unimaginable, social riots in London, the most civilised city in the world. Arson, looting, destruction and violence are completely out of control in this highly developed city that is synonymous with its glorious history. This should never happen in this civilised society. You would think that this kind of riots are reserved for Egypt, Libya, Syria, China or some part of the Third World.

The city of London is the icon of developed world whose social values, moral standard and civic consciousness are for the rest of the world to emulate. It is the centre where, most of the human rights NGO are based. They are supposed to be moral guardian to safeguard and promote human rights and democracy to the rest of the world. The superior moral values of west where there is no place for violence and abuse. These issues are expected to be settled in a civilised way, that is in the parliament or in the courts but never on the streets.

The weakness of the western values has become more evident after this riot. The police and security forces, in the face of the scale and suddenness of this violence have become totally inept and unprepared. It dared not use force to quell protesters. The police are trapped in the own code of not using excessive force and the authority fear of being castigated for use of excessive force has completely render the police impotent to keep the crisis from spinning out of control. Can you imagine that the police ruled out the use of water canons for fear it is too robust.

Well, the police cannot be blamed. If only one protestor dies, hell will break loose and politicians will be quick to blame the police for excessive force. Human rights group will voice their displeasure and disapproval. Newspaper and televisions will continuously broadcast clips of police brutality. Many will promptly jump on the moral wagon to enhance their popularity. But who really suffer? It’s the ordinary folks what will bear the ultimate economic brunt.

Once again, the value of human rights, basic rights or whatever rights has to be relooked. Politicians and NGOs should quickly pick up political courage to stop playing to the gallery. It’s about time; they should literally stand in between the rioters and the policemen and share their experience. Tell us how not to use excessive force during the onslaught of the riotous crowd. Standing on high moral ground to talk of human rights and abuse is a cowardly act.

Stop lecturing the rest of the world about human values and stop insisting western values are also universal values. Each countries should has its own way to manage its own society, managed peace, take pre-emptive measures when necessary.

The riots in London clearly show that western values are not so superior in maintaining law and order, keeping the society in peace, safety and harmony. Shouldn’t the people of London seek their MPs to address the unhappiness and concerns rather than taking it to the streets? If this cannot be achieved after a few hundred years of democracy, then what conclusion can we draw from this riot? The western style of democracy is supposed to create a more civilised society, is it not?

Shouldn’t the police make a decision to use whatever force is required to overcome mob rule? Or are they just scared to face the enquiry after the riots? Whatever it is, the western society has put the civilian, whether a criminals, mobsters or looters on higher priority to that of security forces.

While I posted this blog, the riots have now spread to Liverpool, Birmingham, Nottingham and Bristol and look like its heading for Day 4. Good luck to all the Angmohs.

Next, the carnage on the world stock market.