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Alert #127
MUSLIM AIR TRAVELERS COULD BE SINGLED OUT FOR
HARASSMENT-BODY IMAGING "STRIP SEARCHES"
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 1/23-/97) - On Friday, January 17, CAIR Executive
Director Nihad Awad joined the White House advisory panel set up to deal
with civil liberties issues raised by Commission on Aviation Safety and
Security proposals to tighten airport security. Awad and other panel members
met representatives of the White House Commission to discuss airline safety
and the Commission's preliminary recommendation for the use of a so-called
passenger "profiling" system. According to the Commission, profiling means
separating passengers into "...a very large majority who present little or
no risk, and a small minority who merit additional attention." Civil rights
organizations and representatives of minority communities have protested the
profiling recommendation.
In the meeting, Awad outlined to the Commissioners American Muslim concerns
about the profiling system and about "body imaging" technologies that would
enable airport security personnel to view images of a passenger's naked body
under clothing. (These images could be stored in a computer.) Commission
members say that public reaction will have a significant impact on whether
profiling and body imaging can be implemented in our nation's airports.
"The Commission's recommendations, when finalized and adopted, will have an
impact on the lives of every person who wishes to travel by air. These
recommendations must not single out any religious or ethnic groups based on
hysteria created by stereotyping and bias. I was encouraged by the
Commission's receptivity on these issues," said Awad following the meeting.
At the meeting, Awad asked for assurances that Muslims and "Middle Eastern"
looking travelers would not be singled out by any profiling scheme. He was
told that "as of now" no such assurances can be given.
On the profiling issue, Awad's statement read in part: "...American Muslims
have been stopped and searched, not because of suspicious activity, but
because of their 'looks.' In some cases, the special security measures seem
to be triggered by otherwise harmless, and Constitutionally-protected
personal choices such as the wearing of a beard or Islamic dress. In other
cases, American Muslim citizens and residents report being subjected to
special attention because of their national origin or travel destinations."
Awad gave examples of discrimination against Muslim travelers, described
discrimination in the profiling system now used by El Al Airlines (a
suggested model for new security measures) and analyzed anti-Muslim
stereotyping in media coverage of the downing of TWA Flight 800, the event
that lead to the Commission's recommendations.
On the subject of body imaging, the statement said: "A major characteristic
of the faith of Islam is an emphasis on personal modesty. It is for that
reason that American Muslims would object strenuously to the implementation
of technology that would involve a body imaging 'strip search' as a way to
improve airport security."
Awad's statement concluded with support for many of the Commission's other
recommendations. CAIR supports:
1) Mandatory matching of baggage to passengers,
2) An increase in the number of bomb-sniffing dogs,
3) Better background checks and training for airport workers, and
4) Vulnerability assessments for all U.S. airports.
To protect civil liberties and to address the specific concerns of American
Muslims, CAIR recommended:
* To include American Muslims on the White House Commission on Aviation
Safety and Security.
* To include in plans and recommendations for security schemes a complete
bar to using actual or perceived race, religion, national origin, or
political opinions as a basis to determine who will be subjected to special,
and intrusive security measures.
* To create a mechanism for reporting and acting on discriminatory
treatment. Passengers should also be informed of patterns of abuse by
particular airlines.
The development of any safety plans, procedures and technologies should also
be conducted in public and these safety measures must preserve individual
civil liberties and privacy rights.
ACTIONS REQUESTED:
1. Immediately call CAIR to report any mistreatment at airports by airline
or government officials that you believe was related to your ethnicity,
religion or appearance - including past incidents. Your identity will be
kept confidential.
2. Educate yourself and your local community about the issues of airline
passenger profiling and body imaging. Call CAIR to receive an analysis of
the Commission's report.
3. Write the Commission stating your concerns about the issues described
above. Address your letters to: "The White House Commission on Aviation
Safety and Security, c/o CAIR." Send the letters to CAIR by post, fax or
e-mail.
________________________________________________________________________
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