Books should not be a flight safety risk

• Source: Global Times
• [23:37 September 13 2009]
• Comments

I was asked to open my luggage filled with books when going through a security check in Guangzhou Baiyun airport. The security staff had a random glance inside then let me pass. Why don't I know what was she looking for. Porn? Anti-communist magazines? The checking aimed at those should be conducted at customs.

Security checks should be about flight safety. Would books harm that? Having staff at security check taking care of that is not only wasting human resources but more importantly is an abuse of power against privacy and personal freedom.

No matter how righteous the goal is, law enforcement should always be conducted in the proper manner.

If not, it will lead to the abuse of authority and the privileges of the powerful. What the random check at the airport aims at is not a few criminals, but the general public.

The respect of personal freedom and privacy is still fragile and vulnerable in China, and not many people stand up for it. Yet the State should always give us a place to let our voice be heard, so that one day respect for our rights will be upheld.

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