Human rights is such a grey area. Activists and supporters of human rights are quick to scream murder and injustice at actions, vilify authorities and pan the police
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During a riot, when police or any other arm of authority is told to control a mob, who can say how much force is enough? Press cameras and television capture certain moments, they do not capture provocation by rioters, but rarely show the other side -- the rioter as murderer or attacker. Like they say in sport, spectators love the underdog, and in this case, people, unarmed and not in uniform are often seen as underdogs, or somehow people who are fighting for some kind of cause need to resort to violent protests and sometimes mayhem to make their voices heard.
In fact, during the London riots, the police were being accused of going too soft on the mobs who, according to a London local, actually enjoyed taking on the police, secure in the knowledge that they would not be shot or put down with brute force. Several people were disgusted that the police were not cracking down harder to stop those thugs, some as young as 10, vandalising shops and setting fire to property.
Some people had even lost their lives in the process. All those shouting from the rooftops about excessive force may never have had their business outlets charred to cinders, turning a lifetime of savings into dust, never faced a mob that could chill your blood or ever seen a family member or friend hurt or even killed.
While there may and definitely have been occasions where authorities may have used more force than is necessary, one cannot help thinking they are caught between a rock and a hard place. It is not that the police have never been at the receiving end of people who murder or maim for sport. With all their training about riot situations, it is hugely difficult to contain a crowd going berserk. Sometimes, the tear gas, water
cannons and rubber bullets may not work.
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With people ready to shout bloody murder, one cannot help but think this is a no-win situation for the police. Damned if they do, and damned if they don't.u00a0
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