References:
edit- Note: Outer quotation marks in the following quotes have been omitted. All of the following are quotations from the respective pages.
[M]istakes may not be used to [...] [p]rove that someone is unqualified to edit pages regarding a topic[.]
Mistakes should be met with counsel, not criticism. Before banning or blocking someone, ask them what happened, and look at how long they've been an editor. If they're new, it might have been a mistake.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Mistakes_are_allowed
Editors should feel safe, not scrutinized.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:There_are_no_cops_on_Wikipedia
Exceptions include [...] if the comment is on your own user talk page. Derogatory comments about another contributor may be removed by any editor.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Civility#Removing_uncivil_comments
Be careful with user warning templates. Be careful about issuing templated messages to editors you're currently involved in a dispute with, and exercise caution when using templated messages for newcomers (see Wikipedia:Please do not bite the newcomers). Consider using a personal message instead of, or in addition to, the templated message.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Civility#Avoiding_incivility
Misusing the administrative tools is considered a very serious issue; they are provided to trusted users for maintenance and other tasks, and should always be used with thought, care, and with due diligence and good judgment. [...] If a user believes that an administrator has not used their administrative tools as per the established Wikipedia policies and guidelines, then they should first discuss their concerns and issues with the respective administrator directly. In cases where the issue is not resolved by discussing it directly and/or when broader community input is determined to be necessary or required, users can post their concerns regarding the issue at Wikipedia:Administrative action review for review by the broader community.
When a policy or communal norm is clear that tools should not be used, then tools should not be used without an explanation that shows the matter has been considered, and why a (rare) exception is genuinely considered reasonable.
An often paraphrased comment about the title and process of adminship was made by Wales in February 2003—referred to as "sysops" here:
"I want to dispel the aura of 'authority' around the position." — Jimmy Wales, 2003
When there is genuine disagreement as to whether an editor should be unblocked, the most expeditious thing to do is unblock them and observe what happens. Demands for apologies and groveling are counterproductive; after all, editors have pride and demeaning editors or demanding contrition/penance/apologies doesn't benefit the encyclopedia.