Consultation On Respect For Sikh Turban At Airports Sends Strong Message To Department For Transport

[JagtarSinghKhalsa]

CONSULTATION ON RESPECT FOR SIKH TURBAN AT AIRPORTS SENDS STRONG MESSAGE TO DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT

On 9 July, Bhai Amrik Singh, the Chair of the Sikh Federation (UK), wrote to thank the Rt. Hon. Philip Hammond, the Secretary of State for Transport, for installing the pre-29 April 2010 security check for turban wearing Sikhs at UK airports until an acceptable solution could be found.

The letter also pushed for the need to find an acceptable long term UK solution for the Sikh turban as a matter of urgency and that a large survey of a wide cross section of Sikhs across the UK had been commissioned. The results for which would be available to the Department for Transport (DfT) on Monday 19 July.

On 19 July the Sikh Federation (UK) finalised the report summarising the results of the consultation with the Sikh community on the implementation of the new EU Regulation on aviation security. The report which is attached was shared with the DfT before a meeting between Sikh community representatives and officials on Wednesday 21 July.

A short questionnaire was distributed to a number of regional co-ordinators across the UK to seek high level feedback on a number of security procedures for the Sikh turban. The primary target for this questionnaire was turban wearing Sikhs and Amritdhari (initiated) Sikhs. However, searching the Sikh turban will not only affect turban wearing Sikhs, but also their family’s when travelling, therefore efforts were made to obtain the views of a cross section of the Sikh community.

Around 1,200 questionnaires in total were completed. Respondents were from over 50 different towns and cities across the UK and included Executive Committee members from 95 Gurdwaras and Sikh organisations. The results in the report were based on around 850 completed questionnaires that had been received and analysed by the deadline for this survey. The key conclusions are below:

Extent of objection to hand searching the Sikh turban

Almost all (98%) of respondents were against hand searches of the Sikh turban, even though only 60% of those responding actually wear turbans. This reinforced the strongly held view in the wider Sikh community that under no circumstances should the Sikh turban be touched by security or other officers.

Preferred method of searching the Sikh turban

Almost all (99%) of Sikhs had no objections to hand held metal detectors being used to check the Sikh turban. These results suggest hand held metal detectors should continue to be used to check for metal if the walk-through metal detectors suggested a passenger should be searched further. This should also be used for Sikhs working at airports.

92% of all turban-wearing Sikhs were willing to pat down their own turbans and have their hands swabbed or to use a plastic strip (or rod) that could be checked for the possibility of having been in contact with inappropriate materials. However, many when asked suggested a random check of the Sikh turban using the self patting down option would be preferable. This would be less obtrusive, more cost-effective and proportionate response.

Extent to which the Sikh turban is being disrespected at airports in mainland Europe

Feedback from Sikhs across Europe indicate there are extensive difficulties at airports in mainland Europe with reports of Sikhs having their turbans disrespected in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland. This has been corroborated by British Sikhs when responding to the questionnaire. In the last 12 months 36% of turban wearing Sikhs living in the UK who have flown back from an airport in mainland Europe stated they had their turbans disrespected.

Expectations of Amritdhari Sikh passengers in respect of wearing their Kirpan on flights

All Amritdhari Sikhs indicated that following the new Regulation that allows passengers to carry knives or scissors with blades up to 6cm they would welcome clarification on the wearing of their Kirpans on flights. They also indicated they would welcome a directive from DfT to airport security informing them of the right of Amritdhari Sikhs to wear the Kirpan.

Gurjeet Singh

National Press Secretary

Sikh Federation (UK)

Consultation 190710 SFUK.pdf

[genie]

That is good news. What about action regarding popular online websites such as facebook and topix which have derogtory remarks against Sikhs. Any action being taken by Sikh federation in regards to those concerns?

[JagtarSinghKhalsa]

SIKHS CLOSE TO LONG TERM SOLUTION FOR RESPECT FOR SIKH TURBAN AT AIRPORTS ACROSS EUROPE

On 29 June the Rt. Hon. Philip Hammond, the Secretary of State for Transport, installed the pre-29 April 2010 security check for turban wearing Sikhs at UK airports until an acceptable solution could be found.

On 19 July the Sikh community provided the Department for Transport (DfT) results of its wide spread consultations that showed Sikhs were totally opposed to the Sikh turban being touched by security or other officers when any new procedures are re-introduced.

On 21 July Sikh representatives had a constructive follow up meeting with DfT officials following a useful initial meeting on 30 June to try and find a long term solution regarding sufficient and appropriate security procedures and respect for the Sikh turban.

At the meeting Sikh representatives repeated the key conclusions from the consultation exercise that reinforced the position given at the 30 June meeting and provided a way forward. DfT officials acknowledged the results of the consultation and the solutions presented.

Whilst considerable progress has been made further work is being conducted on the government side to find an effective and practical solution for both Sikh passengers and Sikhs that work at airports that maintains basic standards in aviation security and fully respects the Sikh turban. Subject to further research being conducted DfT said it was confident of finding a solution which is acceptable for all concerned.

The UK has the largest Sikh community in Europe so DfT is taking the lead in resolving this matter and finding a solution that can be shared with the European Commission and other EU Member States.

Once an acceptable solution is agreed by all, DfT will amend its documentation and guidance, which in turn will allow the airport operators to revise their guidance for staff at airports and introduce suitable training.

DfT clarified that knives and by extension Kirpans worn by Amritdharis maybe allowed on passengers, unless the blade is longer than 6cms with a sharp or pointed blade. Sikh representatives continue in a dialogue with DfT on clarification regarding Amritdhari Sikh passengers wearing a Kirpan that is consistent with the EU Regulation and widely understood by those that operate airports and are responsible for security.

Gurjeet Singh

National Press Secretary

Sikh Federation (UK)

[GPS]

SIKHS CLOSE TO LONG TERM SOLUTION FOR RESPECT FOR SIKH TURBAN AT AIRPORTS ACROSS EUROPE

On 29 June the Rt. Hon. Philip Hammond, the Secretary of State for Transport, installed the pre-29 April 2010 security check for turban wearing Sikhs at UK airports until an acceptable solution could be found.

On 19 July the Sikh community provided the Department for Transport (DfT) results of its wide spread consultations that showed Sikhs were totally opposed to the Sikh turban being touched by security or other officers when any new procedures are re-introduced.

On 21 July Sikh representatives had a constructive follow up meeting with DfT officials following a useful initial meeting on 30 June to try and find a long term solution regarding sufficient and appropriate security procedures and respect for the Sikh turban.

At the meeting Sikh representatives repeated the key conclusions from the consultation exercise that reinforced the position given at the 30 June meeting and provided a way forward. DfT officials acknowledged the results of the consultation and the solutions presented.

Whilst considerable progress has been made further work is being conducted on the government side to find an effective and practical solution for both Sikh passengers and Sikhs that work at airports that maintains basic standards in aviation security and fully respects the Sikh turban. Subject to further research being conducted DfT said it was confident of finding a solution which is acceptable for all concerned.

The UK has the largest Sikh community in Europe so DfT is taking the lead in resolving this matter and finding a solution that can be shared with the European Commission and other EU Member States.

Once an acceptable solution is agreed by all, DfT will amend its documentation and guidance, which in turn will allow the airport operators to revise their guidance for staff at airports and introduce suitable training.

DfT clarified that knives and by extension Kirpans worn by Amritdharis maybe allowed on passengers, unless the blade is longer than 6cms with a sharp or pointed blade. Sikh representatives continue in a dialogue with DfT on clarification regarding Amritdhari Sikh passengers wearing a Kirpan that is consistent with the EU Regulation and widely understood by those that operate airports and are responsible for security.

Gurjeet Singh

National Press Secretary

Sikh Federation (UK)

Sikh fedeartion is doing a great seva for sikhi. Congratulations to them and they deserve respect and support of all sikhs for this cause.

[JagtarSinghKhalsa]

LAUNCH AND ELECTION OF OFFICE BEARERS OF THE ALL PARTY PARLIAMENTARY GROUP FOR UK SIKHS IN PARLIAMENT FOLLOWING THE GENERAL ELECTION

London - 24 July 2010

On 23 July the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for UK Sikhs was formally launched in Parliament following the most recent General Election. The group was first set up with the support of the Sikh Federation (UK) in July 2005 following the last General Election. Rob Marris MP, one of the most respected MPs and voted the best back bench MP in 2008, almost single-handedly, led the group for five years and took up numerous issues on behalf of the Sikh community.

We have now moved into a new and uncertain era with a coalition government and many new MPs. Much thought has therefore gone into creating a brand new team of MPs to lead the APPG for UK Sikhs.

On Thursday Fabian Hamilton the Labour MP for Leeds North East was elected the Chair. For the last 10 years he has been a member of the influential Foreign Affairs Select Committee.

Three Vice Chairs were elected. Lee Scott the Conservative MP for Ilford North and the Parliamentary Private Secretary for the Secretary of State for Transport. Mike Gapes the Labour MP for Ilford South who served as Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee from July 2005 to April 2010. The third Vice Chair is a newcomer – Caroline Nokes the Conservative MP for Romsey and Southampton North.

Those elected as Secretary and Treasurer are also new comers. Emma Reynolds the Labour MP for Wolverhampton North East and Paul Uppal the Conservative MP for Wolverhampton South West.

The APPG has been formally established with 10 MPs from the Coalition government. This is the minimum number required from the government and 25 Labour politicians, including two from the House of Lords. The membership is expected to double by the time the APPG meet again in October as Sikhs urge their local MPs to join and strengthen the group.

At the meeting three key issues were discussed.

i) Respect for the Sikh turban at airports across Europe - further details are set out below.

ii) The continued need for a Code of Practice on Sikh articles of faith promised by Labour Ministers, but not yet delivered.

iii) The need for public bodies to monitor Sikhs as an ethnic group for provision of public services, irrespective of the ethnic group categories in the Census 2011.

The presence of Lee Scott as the Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Transport was particularly helpful with regards to respect for the Sikh turban at airports. He personally dealt with an incident a couple of years ago in Spain when a prominent local Sikh was forced to remove his turban in public and at gun point. The Spanish authorities were forced to recognise their mistakes and apologise.

He said he would personally feedback to the Secretary of State regarding the constructive approach so far between the Department for Transport (DfT) and Sikh representatives and noted areas where some Sikh concerns remain:

i) the possibility of random checking of Sikh turbans using the self pat down option to check for non-metalic materials rather than all turban wearing Sikhs that trigger the initial metal detectors all being subject to a check for non-metalic materials; and

ii) the possibility of specific reference by DfT to the wearing of the Kirpan by passengers. The Sikh Federation (UK) raised with him the possibility of a specific letter from the Secretary of State addressed to Sikhs and those that operate UK airports regarding this matter.

Further announcements on the work of the newly constituted group and the administrative arrangements are expected at the National Sikh Convention at Guru Nanak Gurdwara, Sedgely Street, Wolverhampton on Sunday 19 September 2010.

A photograph and news item appeared in Ajit on Page 16 on 24 July that would have been read by millions and can be seen at:

http://newspaper.ajitjalandhar.com/index.php?edid=6&dtid=20100724

Gurjeet Singh

National Press Secretary

Sikh Federation (UK)