Security procedures must take account of Sikhs' needs

11.38.34am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 26th Feb 2007

London's Liberal Democrat MEP Baroness Sarah Ludford has written to the Belgian Minister of Transport and the European Parliament's Head of Security calling for a review of security procedures to take into account the religious needs of Sikhs.

Last year, a large number of representatives of Sikh communities in the UK visited the European Parliament to raise awareness of issues affecting Sikhs. However, security staff at Brussels airport asked them to remove their turbans for security screening and then most of the Sikh delegation was not permitted to enter the European Parliament as they refused to remove their 'kirpans'.

Baroness Ludford commented:

"I am asking the Belgian government to review airport security procedures to ensure that Sikhs are no longer forced to remove their turbans for security screening, but rather that simple handheld scanners are used while the turban stays in place, as is the case in UK airports. There needs to be a consistent EU-approach which respects the dignity of Sikhs."

"The European Parliament security chief's response that "we understand very well that 'kirpans' are an article of faith for Sikhs, but nevertheless a weapon" means that no distinction is being made with ordinary weapons. It would be helpful here too if the UK government, having the largest Sikh community in Europe, could take the lead in trying to find a pragmatic EU-wide solution."

"The fact that rigorous security measures are essential in airports as well as public buildings, such as the European Parliament, is not in dispute. However, it is necessary to explore whether and how such measures might be made sensitive to the needs of different faith and ethnic groups."

Notes

Baroness Ludford wrote to the Belgian Deputy Prime Minster and Minister of the Interior last year and is now pursuing this issue further.

Baroness Ludford is vice-chair of the European Parliament's Anti-Racism and Diversity Intergroup.