By Okoi Obono-Obla
Freedom and Its Boundaries
I have already expressed the opinion that there is no absolute freedom in the world, even in countries that practice liberal democracy or where liberal culture has evolved over the past three hundred years and appears to embody liberalism. Almost all those countries that enshrine freedom in their constitutions, basic laws, or conventions also include provisions that balance the ideals of liberty with necessary restraints. Behind every law that espouses freedom lies a corresponding duty: the person who wishes to enjoy that freedom must do so responsibly, mindful not to trample on the rights of others. When one invades or infringes upon the rights of a neighbor or the wider community under the belief that freedom grants unlimited license, one must be prepared to bear the consequences.
Consider the example of a British tourist in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, a few weeks ago when Iran launched drones and missiles at Dubai in retaliation for joint military actions by the United States and Israel. The tourist innocently filmed a missile landing in Dubai, shared the video, and later deleted it. Nevertheless, he was arrested, charged, convicted, and sentenced to two years in prison. Behind the façade of tolerance, freedom, exotic hotels, and casinos that make the UAE a tourist haven, it remains an authoritarian society. I recall visiting in 2018 when WhatsApp was blocked by the authorities.
Yet even in the United Kingdom, social media use is regulated. In July 2024, a man named Lee Dunn was jailed for two years for sharing posts deemed grossly offensive and capable of causing community disorder.
From these examples, we see how both Dubai and the United Kingdom responded to the exercise of freedom: individuals who believed they were simply enjoying their rights ended up in trouble. This demonstrates that the right you think you have ends where the rights of others begin.
Conclusion:
Freedom is never absolute; it is always tethered to responsibility. True liberty lies not in unrestrained action but in the careful balance between personal rights and communal harmony. In its essence, law seeks to balance competing interests in society so that everyone living within it may enjoy equal rights.
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