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UPDATED: June 8, 2013 NO. 24 JUNE 13, 2013
Is 'Human Flesh Search' a Violation?
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Chen Guangjiang (Lanzhou Morning Post): Many Chinese feel ashamed by the boy's actions in Egypt. Public indignation has since even led to his personal details being leaked online. Although the boy's parents have apologized for their son's mistake, the event remains a hot topic. Discussions have since incorporated the nation's lack of moral discipline and legal awareness.

Actually, it's wrong to scold a boy over a careless mistake in the name of morality. While his actions were incorrect, revealing his birthday and school seriously violates the boy's right to privacy.

Criticism will not halt graffiti in China. To forgive the boy for his transgression and give him the chance to improve himself is an opportunity for his fellow citizens to ponder their own immoral behavior in public. This is no time to reprimand a boy, but to raise adequate awareness on cultural relic protection while polishing behavior when traveling either within or outside the country.

Qing Chuan (www.voc.com.cn): At first, we have to admit that nowadays Internet is really powerful: Hiding is impossible. Having shared in the hunt for the boy's name, I soon started feeling guilty.

First of all, you have to make sure of the facts. Second, the incident is by no means original. Travelers have left their marks in historic places like China's Palace Museum and the Great Wall for many years, without the revelation of their personal information or "human flesh searching." When something like this occurs outside China, however, people are quick to show indignation. Is this an expression of patriotism or lack of national confidence? Third, what is the objective of exposing the boy to the public? He is only a 15-year-old boy for whom graffiti might not be a big deal, but instead, a way to express himself creatively. Is his action the result of bad social examples? Why not scold adults instead?

Revealing personal details is both a violation and psychologically traumatic. Are we trying to help the boy or ruin his life? And what has happened to tolerance shown toward graffiti?

To condemn others is always easy. But who says we are always right? When judging someone, do we also consider our own bad behavior?

"Human flesh searching" is extremely hypocritical and will hamper social efforts aimed at following the rule of law.

There is nothing wrong with calling on fellow citizens to behave accordingly in protecting historic and cultural relics. Nevertheless, things cannot be allowed to go too far. Currently, online activities like "human flesh searching" are still unregulated, showcasing the extent to which information has been made available. While technological progress has made it easy for people to access all kinds of detail, the law must play its due role. Unrestrained "human flesh searching" could well undermine basic moral standards and values of society, which indicates regression, instead of progress.

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