Dubai: UAE residents shout “discrimination” at the US decision for passengers from specific countries to undergo a full body scan at airports.
They feel the list might only serve to promote prejudice.
Citizens of the listed countries are part of the expatriate base in the emirates.
Syeda Jafri, a Pakistani expatriate based in Sharjah, believes that although security measures are necessary, countries should not be targeted.
“If there was a terrorist attack, it could come from anywhere. Just because someone is from the list of countries targeted does not mean he or she is a terrorist,” she said.
Hasrat Parker, a British expatriate from Abu Dhabi said that all passengers should be screened.
The consultant physician said that if no one objects to their luggage being screened, then body scans should not be an issue either.
He said: “I support anything that improves security in airports and helps protect people. However, if it is targeted towards the people from the list of countries, I would find it discriminatory.”
Jagdish Patil, an Indian expatriate from Dubai, added that the initiative is a good security measure.
"Every country has the right to protect their land and this is one of the ways to do so. But they should not do it to specific nationalities,” he added.
Meanwhile, Sudan said it rejects the strict screening imposed on its citizens traveling on US-bound flights saying that the new measures are a violation of the privacy of the travelers.
Othman Khalid, the official spokesperson of the Sudanese ministry of foreign affairs said Tuesday that the new procedures open the door for the 14 suspected enlisted countries to treat US citizens visiting these countries reciprocally.
Strict screening
US authorities introduced tougher screening rules for passengers arriving by air from nations deemed by the authorities to have links with terrorism. Passengers will be put through pat-down body searches and have carry-on baggage searched.
Air passengers in Britain too will have to go through full body scanners at airports, says media reports. The security system was put in place by Britain after a failed Christmas day bombing attempt of a US airliner.
Heathrow and Manchester airports have had trials using the full-body scanners.
List of countries
- Afghanistan
- Algeria
- Cuba
- Iran
- Iraq
- Lebanon
- Libya
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Saudi Arabia
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Syria
- Yemen
Do you think it is right to screen people from specific nationalities? Do you believe this is a proper security measure? Or do you find it discriminatory? Please let us know your comments below.
