PRESS RELEASE
Sikh Council UK & Italian Sikh representatives meet Italian Government to Create A Consistent model for Dastaar Checks across Italian Airports.
26 September - Rome, Italy ~ Sikh Council UK led a joint meeting with Italian Sikh representatives, Indian Embassy and the Italian government departments to discuss the issues of Dastaar searching and the wider respect for the 5K's, Sikh articles of faith.
The meeting led by the UK Sikh Council, met with Ministry of Foreign affairs, Ministry of Interior and the Italian Civil Aviation Authority alongside Sikh representatives of the Italian Sikh Council, National Dharm Parchaar Committee as well as representatives of the Indian Embassy of Italy.
The Italian authorities ensured that senior members of relevant departments and agencies were present to discuss the specific issues faced by the European Sikhs while travelling through the Italian airports.
The Italian Authority gave firm commitment that consistent model should be followed for security checks at all airports and there should be no direct targeting of Sikhs. It was also agreed that an identical process of passenger awareness and guidance as circulated by Sikh Council UK for use in UK airports should be drafted for use by the Italian airports and ENAC staff.
Key Agreements reached:
- ENAC – Italian Airport security agency will be provided with guidance to ensure that the Sikhs are not specifically targeted and that Dastaar searching is a last resort action if there are security concerns.
- Additional passenger awareness and complaints procedures will be facilitated in order that the Sikh travelers are aware of the official policies.
- Ethnic profiling is not permitted within the Italian law and Sikhs will not be subjected to mandatory searching or to be targeted in queues at the airports.
- Security regulation does require random searches to be conducted where necessary but the Sikhs will be provided private rooms with a mirror to allow respectful checks.
- The Italian Authorities will look into the pilot study results being carried out in UK
- The Italian Authorities will consider the potential of working with Sikh Council UK to facilitate EU cohesion projects for the Italian Sikhs aimed at creating education regarding the Sikh faith in Italy.
Wider aspects of the Sikh identity and respect for the 5K's as articles of faith were also discussed and it was agreed that a joint collaborative work will be undertaken with the Italian government in the near future.
Overall the meeting was a very positive step in building a long standing relationship between the Sikhs and the Italian authority, it was stated that the Italian government looked upon the Sikhs in a very positive light and appreciated immensely their contribution to the Italian economy.
A pre-meeting was held with Indian Ambassador Shri Dababrata Saha, he gave a message of support to Sikhs and also made the point that the Indian Government and Sikh Panth should continue to work collaboratively in seeking a proportional response to security risks.
Many Sikhs turned up to the meeting place and gave their voice and support to the work being done and were keen to unite and work collectively to ensure the Dastaar issue is resolved through dialogue and partnership.
Italian Authority representatives:
Ambassador Andrea Perugini
Deputy Director General /Principal Director for the Countries of Asia & Oceania, Directorate General for Global Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Salvatore Guglielmino
Director General Central Directorate for Immigration and Border Police, Ministry of Interior . Dr. (Ms) Irene Tittoni
Director I Division, Service for Border Police and Foreigners, Ministry of Interior . Dr. (Ms) Patrizia Terlizzi
Director, Security, ENAC (Italian Civil Aviation Authority) . Counselor Adriano Monti
Head Office VI - Directorate General for Global Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Sikh Council UK representatives:
Gurmel Singh – General Secretary Sikh Council UK
Paramjit Kaur Matharu Vice Chair European & International Affairs – Sikh Council UK
Italian Sikhs representatives:
Harwant Singh, President, National Sikh Dharam Parchar Committee Italy
Mr Jasbir Singh, President Italian Sikh Council
Sukhdev Singh Kang Senior Vice Pardhan Shromni Akali Dal Italy
Rajwinder Singh Vice Pardhan - Gurudwara Gobindpur Sahib Lavinio
Indian Embassy representatives:
Mr Saurab Kumar Deputy Head of Mission
Counsel General Sanjay Kumar Varma
Italian Sikhs present to voice their support in Rome:
Bachora Singh
Sawarn Singh Birgano
Ram Singh Modena
Dalbir Singh Lal
Charnjit Singh
Paramjit Singh Dhillon
Major Singh Sabriano
Hari Singh Ankona
Mohan Singh Preet
Balraj Singh Rom
Jagjit Singh
Hardial Singh Panu
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
Parminder Singh
- On behalf of the Sikh Council UK
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