Akihabara’s Crimes

30 Jun, 2008  Random, Uncategorized

I’ve been doing a lot of reading based on my trip to Japan. Quite a few days ago, there was a stabbing in an area called Akihabara (electrical street) in Tokyo. I know this might sound strange, but deep down inside, I kind of wish that this happens in front of me. I’d grab that guy so fast and give him an arm bar. Anyway, soon after that, another person slashed a police man there.

Now Japanese culture is strange. Their culture is known for being copy cats. Now you might be thinking ‘wait isn’t that China?’. Yes China do copy goods and products, however Japanese people like to copy personalities and styles. It’s easy to start fads. It’s so easy, that if someone stabs a person in Akihabara and it’s on the news, you KNOW that a lot of people are going to want to do the same thing. Strange isn’t it? Since then, there have been around 300 internet threats of mass murder in Akihabara. Some just want attention, some just think it’s the new ‘thing’, and some just find it as a perfect chance.

I don’t know what goes on in their minds. Many people are strange and they do take things to the extremes. All I know is that during my trip I’ll be vigilant. I’ll be a vigilant vigilante. It’s been a while since I played renegade cop.

Now back to work!

Freedom of Expression

    Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which the Qatari Government is a signatory of states: Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any medias and regardless of any frontiers.

    The Emiri Decision Number 86 of the year 2007 on the establishment of the Doha Free Information Centre marked yet another step towards establishing a State of rights and freedom of speech. The decision stipulated that the Centre be a non-profit organization, headquartered in Doha City, and have the authority to establish other affiliated centres inside and outside Qatar. It is worth mentioning that His Highness the Emir issued a decision in 1998 annulling the ministry of information, giving birth to a new era of freedom of speech where censorship was removed from local media.