Sikhs Move Closer To Agreement On Airport Security Procedures That Will Fully Respect The Sikh Turban

[JagtarSinghKhalsa]

SIKHS MOVE CLOSER TO AGREEMENT ON AIRPORT SECURITY PROCEDURES THAT WILL FULLY RESPECT THE SIKH TURBAN

Thursday 1 July 2010

In an unprecedented move the Secretary of State, Rt Hon Philip Hammond, moved quickly on Tuesday 29 June to issue directions to all UK airports to apply the pre-29 April procedure for Sikh turbans that prevents security staff from touching the turban. They have been directed to only use hand held metal detectors for Sikh passengers and Sikhs working at the airports until a solution can be found working with the Sikh community.

Bhai Amrik Singh, Chair of the Sikh Federation (UK), said: ‘The campaign launched less than 2 weeks ago has shown what Sikhs are capable of doing when they come together and our media, such as the Sikh Channel, encourage Sikhs up and down the country to exert pressure on MPs. For the Secretary of State to issue a directive to all UK airports on the eve of what was predicted to be a massive Sikh lobby that may have attracted around 1,000 Sikhs to the Houses of Parliament shows the power of lobbying.’

The Sikh Federation (UK) received a letter from the Secretary of State at around 5pm on Tuesday 29 June and the first sentence and last sentence of the letter make it abundantly clear that what made the UK Government change its mind were letters to MPs and the pressure on the Department for Transport. This was acknowledged yesterday by officials from the Department at a meeting to find a solution to the complication caused for Sikhs by the new EU Regulation on aviation security. The Ministerial decision resulted in the mass Sikh lobby being postponed at the last minute to allow time for the Department to find a long term solution not only at UK airports, but also across the EU.

The letter from the Minister to the Sikh Federation (UK) dated Tuesday 29 June starts with: ‘Thank you for your note yesterday and your subsequent email last night’. There was also pressure from Federation media contacts, including the BBC and other mainstream media outlets, who contacted the Department about the lobby and issues raised by MPs. The pressure came to a peak on Monday that resulted in a change of direction. The last sentence of the letter from the Minister to the Federation states: ‘On this basis, I hope that you will no longer feel the need to pursue the lobby you have planned for tomorrow afternoon in Parliament.’

This contrasts with the very negative e-mail response from a Department for Transport official received last week by Dr Jasdev Singh Rai, one of the two faith advisers to the UK Government, that he shared with a select group at the weekend. If you compare this email with the response from the Secretary of State on Tuesday you can see why it has been referred to by the media as a U-turn by the Department following considerable political pressure.

Yesterday the first meeting was held with Department for Transport officials that was positive and moved both parties closer to agreement on airport security procedures that will fully respect the Sikh turban. This demonstrates that had the Department consulted when the EU Regulation was being developed and also when considering implementation this situation could have been avoided. The two Sikh faith advisers should also rebuke the relevant Department when it fails to consult and inform the Sikh community as soon as possible otherwise there is a risk that the community will see them as part of the problem of inappropriate advice.

Sikh representatives at the meeting were very clear that they were equally interested in security, but believed an acceptable solution could be found without security staff having to touch the Sikh turban. It became clear that the Department is keen to find a solution as soon as possible as the UK Government could be deemed to be in breach of the EU Regulation. The Sikh Federation (UK) were pleased a very short timetable has been agreed as this will allow a long term solution to be found for UK airports in a matter of a few weeks that the UK Government can then share and push with its EU counterparts that will help all Sikhs traveling out of airports throughout the EU.

The solution put forward for the Sikh turban that the Department is considering is i) continued use of hand held metal detectors; and ii) the Sikh himself or herself touching their own turbans and having their hands swabbed to check for explosive material as practised in the USA. This could easily be implemented at all UK airports for turban wearing Sikh passengers and airport workers. It will be argued as representing ‘special screening procedures’ under the new Regulation that provide better security than security staff conducting hand searches as they do not have their hands swabbed for explosives. Where full body scanners are available and working (e.g. Heathrow) turban wearing Sikhs will have the option to use these scanners that identify metal and explosive material and provided there is no medical reason why they should not to use the scanner.

As the standard letters to MPs indicated the planned lobby was also to get clarity from the Department on the right of Amritdhari Sikh passengers to wear a small Kirpan (blade up to 6cm) while flying. The initial response given to Dr Jasdev Singh Rai from the Department last week was offensive to say the least.

At the meeting yesterday the Sikh representatives asked the Department to clarify its position on the Kirpan with respect to passengers with regards to the new Regulation. The Department agreed to put details on its web site about Amritdhari Sikh passengers being able to wear the Kirpan. However, the Department did not agree at this meeting to go as far as to state it would at this stage inform security staff at UK airports about this situation. Sikhs appreciate the Kirpan issue is a sensitive one for the Department in terms of the impression it may give to the general public who do not understand the significance of the Kirpan to an Amritdhari Sikh. However, the regulation does allow scissors and knives with blades up to 6cm so in principle there should be no difficulty in allowing Kirpans with a blade of up to 6cm, especially if they are worn discreetly under the clothes. The Department agreed to consider raising training standards for security staff at UK airports with regard to further understanding the sensitivity of Sikh articles of faith so this should make this a challenge that can be overcome.

Many that were due to take part in yesterday’s lobby that was postponed are asking if the lobby will take place in a few weeks time as an acceptable solution needs to be found quickly for the Sikh turban not just in the UK, but across Europe. The Department must also be crystal clear on the right of Amritdhari Sikh passengers to wear a small Kirpan (blade up to 6cm). A spokesman for the Sikh Federation (UK) said a decision would be made next week on whether to have the lobby date moved to Wednesday 21 July.

Gurjeet Singh

National Press Secretary

Sikh Federation (UK)

[GuruManeyoGranth]

Great work by the Sikh Federation. Let's face it, it was the political lobbying by Sikh Federation in a short space of time which made the difference here, not the back-door, secretive negotiations being held by the likes of BCSF (Dr Rai) or NSO (Indarjit Singh) with the Government.

BUT having said that, Sikh Federation releasing provocative press releases against the work of BCSF will not help the wider Panth. Average Sikh wants all Jathaebandiaa to work together for the betterment of the Panth.

Even though lack of transparency of NSO and BCSF leaves a lot to be desired, especially when they claim to represent Sikhs to the government without being accountable or transparent to the Sikh Sangat, having public spats between organisations does not move the Panthic cause forwards.

Waheguroo

[JagtarSinghKhalsa]

Great work by the Sikh Federation. Let's face it, it was the political lobbying by Sikh Federation in a short space of time which made the difference here, not the back-door, secretive negotiations being held by the likes of BCSF (Dr Rai) or NSO (Indarjit Singh) with the Government.

BUT having said that, Sikh Federation releasing provocative press releases against the work of BCSF will not help the wider Panth. Average Sikh wants all Jathaebandiaa to work together for the betterment of the Panth.

Even though lack of transparency of NSO and BCSF leaves a lot to be desired, especially when they claim to represent Sikhs to the government without being accountable or transparent to the Sikh Sangat, having public spats between organisations does not move the Panthic cause forwards.

Waheguroo

Just to clarify:

1) Whilst the Sikh Federation (UK) organised/pushed the political lobbying it was ordinary Sikhs up and down the country that need to know their emails, letters and phone calls to MPs made a real difference. This is an extremely powerful message – when Sikhs work together in a coordinated manner we can make real progress.

2) The press release was not at all meant to be provocative against the work of the BSCF – this was not the intention. The Sikh Federation (UK) has worked with others, including the BSCF in making progress on this issue. What the lengthy write up was aiming to do was point out in sufficient detail to the many Sikhs that were following this campaign and taking part in the lobby that the Department for Transport has been forced to make a U-turn. More details are now provided below:

i) When Dr Rai made an enquiry with the Department for Transport he received a very negative response last week (see below). This is in no way a criticism of the BSCF, but provides you an insight into the reality of the situation that Sikhs were facing.

ii) the press release also suggested the two Sikh faith advisers (Dr Jasdev Singh Rai and Dr Indarjit Singh) should rebuke Departments when they (Departments) fail to consult and inform the Sikh community. If this was to happen it would strengthen their position in the Sikh community. If the advisers stay silent (or delay widely sharing emails like the one re-produced below) there is a risk that the community may see the advisers as part of the problem. This is friendly advice, especially when we are trying to present a united front and trying to ensure the Sikh community have a clear indication of the Department’s thinking.

The response received by Dr Jasdev Singh Rai last week from a Department of Transport official is shown below:

Dear Jasdev,

Thank you for your mail to the Department requesting clarification relating to the recent changes in Aviation legislation.

Just to give you some context around the recent changes. Following the events of 11 September 2001, the European Commission introduced common basic standards in the field of aviation security that all Member States were required to meet.

The Commission reviewed and revised these regulations, which came into force on the 29 April 2010. Although there have been some changes, it is important to note that the UK Government, like all Member State is free to introduce more stringent measures to supplement the European basic standards where such measures are considered to be necessary and proportionate by the Member State.

In terms of your query:

1. A manual examination of Turbans. Under the new EC rules of the 29 April 2010, if an individual is subject to a physical hand search. The Security Officer is required to physically exam clothing, footwear and any headgear. This is inclusive of turbans. Prior to the change Security Staff would use an Hand held Metal Detector, however this would not necessarily assist in the finding of a non metallic threat, whereas a physical examination does increase the ability of Staff to find such items. Clearly you may feel that this does cause some members of the Sikh community some discomfort, but I it is important to note the reasoning behind the new rule. I’m aware that BAA offer their staff gloves which can be used when physically searching a turban, which will deal with the aspect of cleanliness when searching a turban, but in line with other European airports the UK Government have agreed to raise security standards when searching all headgear.

2. Kirpans being allowed on an aircraft. As you will no doubt be aware the average length of a Kirpan is between 7cms – 9 cms. The current regulations states that a knife with a blade of more than 6cms will not be allowed on board an aircraft, or indeed an airside location. Therefore, kirpans still fall within the prohibited articles list. Equally it is important to point out that an airport operator may decide to go further and not allow blades with a lower blade length on board and aircraft or to an airside location. But essentially there has been no change to this policy at all.

We appreciate that this may cause some discomfort to passengers and staff, however, I’m sure you will agree with us when we say that, there is well founded reasoning behind these measures as there are with measures put forward for the security aviation industry.

Many thanks

We hope by sharing the above it helps to show we are simply trying to be transparent to Sikhs that have shown a huge interest in this matter and NOT at all trying to have a 'public spat'.

[JagtarSinghKhalsa]

Britain delays new EU airport security rules over Sikh concerns

Hindustan Times

Indo-Asian News Service

London, July 01, 2010

First Published: 21:15 IST(1/7/2010)

Last Updated: 21:18 IST(1/7/2010)

Britain has delayed implementation of new European Union (EU) airport security rules for hand searches of passengers after concerns from the Sikh community that this could also mean searches of their religious headgear, officials on Thursday said.

Consultations are currently going on with the Sikh community over the issue, a spokesperson of the the British transport department told IANS.

At present, passengers walk through metal detectors at airports in Britain and, if the alarm goes off, they are then searched again with hand-held metal detectors. The new rules, implemented all over the EU, instead tell security staff to use their hands for the second checks. Sikhs are concerned it could mean hand checks of turbans or demands for the religious headwear to be removed.

"We have written to airports to advise them to continue using the previous methods of screening religious headwear. These methods do not require all headgear to be touched. We will then work with the airport industry and religious communities to find an acceptable long-term solution to this issue," the department spokesperson said.

According to Daily Mail, a spokesperson for Birmingham International Airport said: "On Thursday the Department for Transport advised all UK airports to continue using the previous methods of screening religious headwear, which eliminates the need to carry out hand searches. We have reacted accordingly."

The Sikh Federation is worried that the new EU security rules will mean more embarrassment and upset at airports. The federation's Dabinderjit Singh said: "It is disrespectful for anyone else to touch the turban other than the individual (wearer) themselves. It is almost a humiliation. It is very difficult to describe when someone touches your turban. Sikhs regard it as a crown."

Wearing a turban is protected by British law, following a landmark ruling by the House of Lords in 1983 in a case in which a Birmingham teenager was refused entry to a school because of his turban.

It is not clear how long it will take before the transport department recommends any changes to the EU rules. Another issue is that the EU rarely changes its regulations and, when it does, it can often take years. The Sikh Federation fears the issue has the potential to flare up because the new rules are in force in other European countries.

"The reports that we've had from France and Italy in the last few weeks is that Sikhs are being asked to remove their turbans," Singh said.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/Britain-delays-new-EU-airport-security-rules-over-Sikh-concerns/Article1-566092.aspx

[JagtarSinghKhalsa]

EU directive to search turbans on hold: UK

The Asian Age

Created 3 Jul 2010

Britain has put a European Union directive about frisking of religious headgear at airports on hold after Sikhs complained that the methods used would affect the dignity of turban, one of the signs of the Sikh religion. Britain’s transport ministry said the EU directive, which had been implemented since April, has now been put on hold till a solution to the issue can be found. The EU directive had instructed airport security staff across Europe to use hands for headgear checks if the metal detector goes off during security search.

“The department has written to airports to advise them to continue using the previous methods of screening religious headwear for the time being. These methods do not require all headgear to be touched. We will then work with the airport industry and religious communities to find an acceptable long-term solution to this issue,” a department for transport spokesperson told this newspaper.

At present, the second search is done with help of handheld metal detectors, without touching headgear, the DfT spokesperson added. The new EU directive is being opposed by the Sikhs and many Sikh groups in Britain as they consider checking of turbans by hand or security-enforced removal of turbans in public a degrading and an insult to their religion. The Sikh groups have suggested that either hand-held metal detectors could be used long-term or the Sikh passenger could touch their own turbans and have their hands swabbed to check for explosive material as practised in the USA.

“The campaign launched less than two weeks ago has shown what Sikhs are capable of doing when they come together and our media, such as the Sikh Channel, encourage Sikhs up and down the country to exert pressure on MPs. For the secretary of state (Philip Hammond) to

issue a directive to all UK airports on the eve of what was predicted to be a massive Sikh lobby that may have attracted around 1,000 Sikhs to the Houses of Parliament shows the power of lobbying,” UK Sikh Federation chief Bhai Amrik Singh said.

“It is disrespectful for anyone else to touch the turban other than the individual (wearer) themselves,” UK Sikh Federation activist Dabinderjit Singh said. “It is almost a humiliation. It is very difficult to describe when someone touches your turban. Sikhs regard it as a crown.”

The Sikh Federation is in the battle to remove the new EU directives for the long haul. “The reports that we’ve had from France and Italy in the last few weeks is that Sikhs are being asked to remove their turbans,” Mr Singh said, adding that the lobby group was aware that the fight against the EU would take long.

http://www.asianage.com/international/eu-directive-search-turbans-hold-uk-163

[JagtarSinghKhalsa]

UK not to check Sikh turbans

Deccan Chronicle

Jul 03 2010

London, July 2: Britain has put a European Union directive about frisking of religious headgear at airports on hold after Sikhs complained that the methods used would affect the dignity of turban, one of the signs of the Sikh religion.

Britain’s transport ministry said the EU directive, which had been implemented since April, has now been put on hold till a solution to the issue can be found. The EU directive had instructed airport security staff across Europe to use hands for headgear checks if the metal detector goes off during security search.

“The department has written to airports to advise them to continue using the previous methods of screening religious headgear for the time being. These methods do not require all headgear to be touched. We will then work with the airport industry and religious communities to find an acceptable long-term solution to this issue,” a department for transport spokesperson told this newspaper.

At present, the second search is done with help of handheld metal detectors, without touching headgear, the DFT spokesperson said.

The new EU directive is being opposed by the Sikhs and many Sikh groups in Britain as they consider checking of turbans by hand or security-enforced remo-val of turbans in public a degrading and an insult to their religion.

The Sikh groups have suggested that either hand-held metal detectors could be used in the long-term or the Sikh passenger could touch their own turbans and have their hands swabbed to check for explosive material as practiced in the USA.

“The campaign launched less than 2 weeks ago has shown what Sikhs are capable of getting their way when they come together,” The UK Sikh Federation chief, Mr Bhai Amrik Singh, said.

“It is disrespectful for anyone else to touch the turban other than the individual (wearer) themselves,” the UK Sikh Federation activist, Mr Dabinderjit Singh, said. “It is almost a humiliation. It is very difficult to describe when someone touches your turban. Sikhs regard it as a crown.”

The Federation is in the battle to remove the new EU directives for the long haul.

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/international/uk-not-check-sikh-turbans-242