By Sanaullah Ataullah
DOHA: The Ministry of Interior has launched an online discussion forum on its website seeking feedback from citizens and expatriates on ways of making the public obey laws, especially those related to traffic, and promote human rights in the country.
The ministry has created a page on its website for the public to post their comments and suggestions. It can be accessed through the link https://www.moi.gov.qa/IntServices/Actions?action=viewCurrentDiscussion. The link has been shared on the ministry’s Twitter account.
The online forum comes under the slogan, “public awareness about the laws and protection of human rights”. The ministry has posted questions on the page seeking answers from the public.
“Do you believe only punishments for violating some provisions of the law including traffic law are enough to ensure respect of law? Or do you think there is need for raising public awareness, along with the punishments, to protect the rights of all (individuals, community and institutions)?
“What are the roles different segments of the society can play to maintain law and order and respect of law?”
“The law is considered an important tool for social control that helps maintain law and order, bring stability in the community and enhance the development process.
The law also regulates rights and duties of individuals and state,” the ministry said, while explaining the purpose of the new web page.
For instance, if people (motorists) comply with provisions of the traffic law it will protect the rights of individuals (users of the road) related to safety, security, lives and properties (vehicles).
The page, created yesterday at around 9am is being visited by a number of people, who have also started posting their comments.
“Punishments are not enough. For example, despite fines imposed for violating the traffic law, some motorists still not abide by the law,” said a commentator.
“I think that the focus of awareness should be on youngsters because a big number of road accidents are caused by reckless driving of youths,” said another comment.
“The young motorists who indulge in stunt driving hardly pay attention to the awareness campaigns launched on social networking sites and newspapers.
“So a very different kind of campaign is needed to convince them to adhere to the law in a very smart way,” read another.
The Peninsula
