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TweetPersonally, if I get mistaken for someone of middle eastern descent and asked a few more questions in an airport, I feel safer, knowing that they are asking questions. People from countries where folk have a propensity to blow themselves up, cut people’s heads off and drive bomb laden vehicles into embassies think it is unfair to be singled out, calling it harrassment. I think it’s unfair I even have to worry about someone with the potential to blow himself up on a plane, bus, train, etc… when I travel.
A protest has been staged outside Strathclyde Police headquarters over alleged “harassment” of Muslim travellers at Glasgow Airport.
About 60 demonstrators claimed that Pakistani and Afghan passengers had been “interrogated” for up to three hours by officers from Special Branch.
They accused police of operating “discriminatory policies”.
Strathclyde Police said it welcomed dialogue over the implementation of terrorism legislation.
President of the Scottish Afghan Society, Mohammad Asif, said Strathclyde Police had a duty to treat Muslim passengers like “human beings”.
“Muslim community members have been singled out for questioning for no apparent reason other than being Afghan or Pakistani,” he said.
“This treatment is unacceptable in a democracy and we are fed up with the discriminatory policies of Strathclyde Police Special Branch.
“We cannot bear the psychological torture anymore. The authorities treat us like terrorists, as well as putting pressure on Afghans to become informers and spies, but we are not going to be intimidated and pressurised.”
Strathclyde Police issued a statement saying that a study was under way into the application of terrorism legislation at ports in Scotland.
The statement said: “This is to ensure that these powers are used effectively and are enforced with due regard to community impact and, at the same time, promote understanding and support.
“This study is being carried out under the direction of the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland.
“In that regard we would welcome dialogue from anyone in the community who may have concerns regarding how the legislation is implemented.”
Yeah, it’s much better to have another shoe-bomber, or hijacker(s) take a plane’s passengers hostage than to offend a muslim’s feelings by subjecting people to additional security measures.
Original article available here.
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