KENYAN CITIZEN BANNED TO TRAVEL TO UAE
| Please read this Article in full. Kenyans are now banned to travel to UAE as a result of mistreating UAE Nationals visiting Kenya without any Grounds. The Friday Bulletin The Weekly Muslim News Update Jumaadal Ula 09 1431/April 23 2010 'UAE visa rules calls for end to |
Muslim harassment'
The new visa regulations imposed on Kenyans visiting the United Arab Emirates (UAE) call for a review and scrapping of the policy of mistreatment of Muslims passing through the country’s international airports.
While the regulations appear to be excessive, it is a pointer for the government to recognize that such arbitrary measures have a negative impact on all Kenyans of diverse background, said Hassan Omar Hassan, the vice chairman of Kenya National Human Rights Commission (KNHRC).
He said scores of Muslims entering the country through the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and other entry points have faced constant harassment from security officials who use the excuse of the so-called anti-terror war to mistreat the innocent travelers.
Athorities in the oil rich emirate slapped a blanket condition requiring all Kenyans traveling to the country to be in possession of a degree certificate to obtain an entry visa. This was in retaliation for the mistreatment of four of its citizens who were arrested and later deported out of the country on the unproven allegations that they were linked to terrorism.
The commissioner called on President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga to reinstate sobriety to security agents who were “heavily compromised” by Western countries so that they respect the innate rights of Muslims. “We have seen some security agents constantly tracking Muslims, their business, finances and also abrogating their human rights in the name of fighting terrorism,” he told The Friday Bulletin.
The move by the Gulf emirate country is set to affect thousands of Kenyans who are lured to visit the Middle East business hub for employment opportunities, business and pleasure. Thousands of Kenyans who are working in the country will also be affected as it will be difficult for some of them to acquire re-entry visas upon exit.
Last month, four UAE citizens who were in the country to visit their relatives in Mombasa were detained for days on suspicions that they were involved in terrorist activities. While they managed to go through the country’s main international gateway at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport without any incident, upon arrival at the Moi International Airport in Mombasa , they were immediately arrested by the Anti-Terrorist Police Unit on alleged links to Al-Qaeda.
Contrary to the laid down rules, the detainees were forbidden access to their families and lawyers and later flown to Nairobi where they underwent interrogations before being unceremoniously deported out of the country. No charges were brought forth.
The commissioner called on President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga to reinstate sobriety to security agents who were “heavily compromised” by Western countries so that they respect the innate rights of Muslims. “We have seen some security agents constantly tracking Muslims, their business, finances and also abrogating their human rights in the name of fighting terrorism,” he told The Friday Bulletin.
The move by the Gulf emirate country is set to affect thousands of Kenyans who are lured to visit the Middle East business hub for employment opportunities, business and pleasure. Thousands of Kenyans who are working in the country will also be affected as it will be difficult for some of them to acquire re-entry visas upon exit.
Last month, four UAE citizens who were in the country to visit their relatives in Mombasa were detained for days on suspicions that they were involved in terrorist activities. While they managed to go through the country’s main international gateway at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport without any incident, upon arrival at the Moi International Airport in Mombasa , they were immediately arrested by the Anti-Terrorist Police Unit on alleged links to Al-Qaeda.
Contrary to the laid down rules, the detainees were forbidden access to their families and lawyers and later flown to Nairobi where they underwent interrogations before being unceremoniously deported out of the country. No charges were brought forth.
The incident infuriated the UAE government who raised the matter with the Kenyan authorities and lodged a protest note to the Kenyan government about the mistreatment of its nationals.
President Mwai Kibaki was forced to call his top brass in the security circles who included the Police Commissioner Mathew Iteere to discuss the incident which threatened bilateral ties between the two countries.
On Wednesday, the Foreign Affaris minister Moses Wetangula admitted that the policy was hurting the country and said the government will explore all diplomatic channels to have the new law rescinded.This is the second incident involving the mistreatment of a UAE citizen. In 2007, Tuwein Kamilya Muhammad who was in the country to explore investment opportunities was arrested by the Anti-Terrorist Police Unit and held incommunicado, without charges or due process for more than two and a half months in jails in Kenya, Somalia and finally Ethiopia.
Though her travel papers indicated that she was a UAE citizen, the Zanzibar-born mother of two was labeled a terrorist from Somalia and deported to Somalia in a covert rendition programme which earned Kenya international condemnation.
On Wednesday, the Foreign Affaris minister Moses Wetangula admitted that the policy was hurting the country and said the government will explore all diplomatic channels to have the new law rescinded.This is the second incident involving the mistreatment of a UAE citizen. In 2007, Tuwein Kamilya Muhammad who was in the country to explore investment opportunities was arrested by the Anti-Terrorist Police Unit and held incommunicado, without charges or due process for more than two and a half months in jails in Kenya, Somalia and finally Ethiopia.
Though her travel papers indicated that she was a UAE citizen, the Zanzibar-born mother of two was labeled a terrorist from Somalia and deported to Somalia in a covert rendition programme which earned Kenya international condemnation.
Kamilya was released after the intervention of her government who demanded her unconditional release.
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