cross-posted from: https://lemmy.dbzer0.com/post/54656011

I have two Beko washing machines, both “broken”. All components work fine - proven by hotwiring each component individually after some fixing. Yet the control panel wash LEDs just blink. The user manuals both conceal what the faults are, but leaked service manuals for similar models enabled me to expose the error codes, Beko tried to prevent me from seeing.

The errors are bullshit. One of them indicates “unbalanced load”. Beko actually designed the unbalanced load sensor to enter an error trap that cannot be escaped by the consumer. In effect, it is a kill switch. The service manual actually says to instruct the client on how to avoid unbalanced loads. But it does not tell the technician how to escape the error trap either. Reversing the kill switch is apparently so secret that they don’t even write it in the service manual. Putting it in writing would serve as hard evidence that the kill switch exists.

I have some amateur repair capability. I want to develop this skill so I can live independantly. I don’t want to be helplessly dependant on technicians that cost more than replacing the machine. I also respect the planet too much to throw away fixable machines. I believe my right to “self-determination” applies here, as well as autonomy and dignity. I choose not to be helpless. Throwing money at the problem is just another form helplessness. I intend to live a self-sufficient life.

When Beko creates these secret steps to unlock an otherwise working washing machine, they do so with intent to deprive people of their personal property, ultimately to boost more sales. Aspiring repairers are at a loss for self-determinism and autonomy. Self-sufficiency is both a matter of autonomy and dignity. Dependency strips us of dignity. As Beko assults consumer rights, environmental protection is also a human right they undermine. Forcing people to throw away working machines seems to violate all that.

Europe’s useless right to repair law is part of a higher green initiative (forgot what they called it). It apparently neglects non-environmental human rights, which I believe is why the law is so weak.

Is Beko violating human rights? This is what I find:

Universal Declaration of Human Rights -- Article 17 (emphasis added)

1. Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others.
2. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights -- Article 22 (emphasis added)

Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights -- Article 29

1. Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights -- Article 1 (emphasis added)

1. All peoples have the right of self-determination. By virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development.

International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights -- PART I, Article 1 (emphasis added)

1. All peoples have the right of self-determination. By virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development.
2. All peoples may, for their own ends, freely dispose of their natural wealth and resources without prejudice to any obligations arising out of international economic co-operation, based upon the principle of mutual benefit, and international law. In no case may a people be deprived of its own means of subsistence.

Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU -- Article 17

Right to property

1. Everyone has the right to own, use, dispose of and bequeath his or her lawfully acquired possessions. No one may be deprived of his or her possessions, except in the public interest and in the cases and under the conditions provided for by law, subject to fair compensation being paid in good time for their loss. The use of property may be regulated by law in so far as is necessary for the general interest.

Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU -- Article 37

Environmental protection
A high level of environmental protection and the improvement of the quality of the environment must be integrated into the policies of the Union and ensured in accordance with the principle of sustainable development.

Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU -- Article 38

Consumer protection
Union policies shall ensure a high level of consumer protection.

European Convention on Human Rights -- Article 8

Right to respect for private and family life

1. Everyone has the right to respect for his private and family life, his home and his correspondence.

(analysis of the above: “Guide on Article 8”)

1. Right to personal development and autonomy
   ¶253. Article 8 protects a right to personal development, … (Niemietz v. Germany, § 29; Pretty v. the United Kingdom, §§ 61 and 67; Oleksandr Volkov v. Ukraine, §§ 165-167;…).