HALL DEPLORES BAN ON SIKH VISIT TO EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
May 8, 2008 12:00 AM
Local Sikhs formed part of a large Sikh lobby from a number of European countries which visited Brussels this week. The Sikhs were refused entry to the main Parliament building because of wearing kirpans, small ceremonial swords with religious significance.
Said Fiona:
"I want all my constituents to be free to exercise their democratic right to visit the European Parliament and lobby MEPs there.
"Earlier in their visit to Belgium, the Sikh group had visited the war cemeteries at Ypres, where many of the 83,000 Sikhs who fought for the freedom of Europe in World Wars I and II lie buried.
"It is therefore particularly galling that their descendants are not allowed to visit a European Union institution.
"Of course I understand the issue of security, but no-one is suggesting that the Sikh visitors would have posed an actual security threat. Indeed their sit-down protest on the steps of the Parliament was the very model of a non-violent demonstration.
"This problem can be solved if the authorities show flexibility and respect for religious beliefs.
"Mr Hans-Gert Pöttering, President of the Parliament, has said that "It seems difficult to waive the rule". I shall be working with colleagues to make sure this difficulty is overcome before the Sikhs' next visit."
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