Snitchers are repulsive. Police encourage them. Shame on both

Today’s South China Morning Post 

Imagine. The police thanking snitchers. I find it repulsive. That people, my fellow citizens, should think it their duty — and no doubt feel virtuous— to report neighbours and colleagues to the police. For allegedly breaking a law — a hastily-drafted and swingeing National Security Law,  promulgated by our masters in Beijing and foisted on us here in Hong Kong. That people should do this at the rate of over 500 a day. That’s shocking and repulsive. Shame on them. Shame on every one of them.

And the police say: “Thanks you for making the reports…and contributing to safeguarding national security”, they intone.  Shame on the police.

Think of other countries that encouraged the snitching culture. Most awfully during China’s Cultural Revolution when children were encouraged to snitch in their parents if they slipped wrong word about Emperor Mao. Then there’s the Soviet Union, East Germany, Albania. And today, North Korea. All horrid snitching cultures. Do we really want to be in that baleful company?

We’ve not been averse to a bit of snitching in the west. It happened in the UK during lockdown where people told in neighboris for going out for an unapproved illegal walk.

I say enough of snitching. Mind your own business. 

ADDED: One of the worst aspects of the snitching culture is that it quickly becomes a way for people to settle scores. Don’t like your neighbour? Snitch to the police, for some “crime” you can easily dream up under the broad NSL. Bimgo! The police will thank you!

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