YOU'VE BEEN TAGGED!!

[hotchocolate29]

 A friend I work with was visibly upset when I saw him last. He is usually in the best of moods after his weekend trips to Edinburgh to see his girlfriend so when he told me that he was reduced to tears over an unpleasant encounter I wanted to know more.  No, it wasn't his relationship that was causing him anxiety. It was something else. Now, let

Comments

[shaluvk]

what a perfectly horrendous experience to go through. my BIL has gone through much the same treatment while traveling recently. he's a doctor, christian, an aussie citizen and looks vaguely muslim. he cannot remember a single air trip recently when he hasn't been pulled out for extra security checks.

so what happens if D should complain at the transport website? there needs be some form of dissent/ displeasure he's allowed?

[hotchocolate29]

He's fine now but he was just upset that day and kept showing us the card he was given!! Poor guy! I think he should complain as he was not given adequate information by the police - after all he is a British citizen and a responsible one at that. I don't know what step they would take but maybe they would be more sensitive in the future.

[hotchocolate29]

I know he is scared of being whisked off somewhere without any justification. It makes one paranoid. Ah, but they will be introducing identity cards sometime in the future here for everybody! He can't afford to lose his card. :(

[joylita]

A friend of mine who happens to be fair, had a li'l more than a stubble for a beard and is a Parsi with a slightly Islamic sounding name kept getting pulled up every time he travelled(which is a lot). Eventually, he shaved off that beard and the 'random' checks also reduced.

But all this is such a put off!

[hotchocolate29]

I know - beards are so not fashionable at airports anymore! D isn't a muslim either! Heaven forbid if you're one or have a name that sounds Islamic. You're right - it makes traveling such a pain! But I guess we have to live with this now until another community of people become suspects!!

[romad]

Ouch, that's such an unpleasant experience to have. I hear a lot of people who *appear* Asian/Arab etc bear the brunt of this Orwellian/xenophobic treatment by the state, across most of Europe. It's really unfortunate and makes one a tad uncomfortable/wary about travel to these countries. Tsk

[hotchocolate29]

Yes, it is getting increasingly Orwellian which is scary! People put up with it I guess due to the larger picture of security but it makes life so much more difficult for those who are needlessly stopped!

[sthira]

To be honest, I think he should register a complaint! He is 25% black caribbean, British by nationality, why should he have to carry a card with his ethnicity written on it at all times? If he's been given a card, it means that the police thinks he can be suspected again. The question is why. The answer clearly seems to be because he appears so!! He should probably write to a newspaper as well.

[hotchocolate29]

I think he got flustered when he was interrogated and forgot to tell them that he is a British citizen. I think he should make a complaint as well. Let's see what he does.

[sthira]

He should make a point in his complaint about carrying a card with his ethnicity written on it! The society we live in, we are made to believe that there are no prejudices, such things don't matter, ethnicity is an optional category in all forms you fill up. So it's a bit unfair to be asked to roam around with an ethnicity ID card on you!!

[hotchocolate29]

He spoke to the university international officer and they are registering a complaint with the police. So, I'm glad something is being done about it.
ps: Ethnicity is always an underlying issue I think- we as a society in general are sadly prejudice ridden!