LOC19:33
16:33 GMT
LONDON, March 13 (KUNA) -- It was announced here on Tuesday that new strict
visa rules have been introduced for travelers from countries caught up in the
Arab Spring unrest.
Under the changes Syrian, Libyan and Egyptian citizens will have to apply
for a visa if they are travelling through UK airports, the Home Office said.
It added that the transit visa regime, introduced in response to threats to
national and border security, covers passengers who are only in the UK to
change flights and never leave the airport.
The three countries, which have seen major upheaval following the Arab
Spring wave of protests, have been added to the list of nations covered by the
Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV) requirements.
Home Secretary Theresa May told MPs, "We see this as a necessary measure to
protect the security of our borders," adding that "The situation in Syria
continues to pose a serious concern to us and the wider international
community."
Also, May noted that "Libya and Egypt are emerging from a period of
instability. We therefore assess that requiring nationals of these countries
to obtain a visa for transit through the UK is both a sensible and
proportionate response to the threat posed to the UK's national and border
security."
She said that since the introductions of the DATV regime in 2003, a number
of countries have been added to the list of those that are required to obtain
a transit visa.
"This has been done as a direct response to emerging security and
immigration threats to the UK, and we will continue to monitor risks and
threats," explained May.
"The implementation of the DATV regime allows us to run comprehensive
checks on those transiting the UK, and prevents high harm individuals from
travelling here," she noted.
She added, "The visa process means that we are able to collect pre-travel
information as part of the application process which makes identification and
checks more robust."
Meanwhile, Donna Covey, chief executive of the Refugee Council, said, "We
are very concerned that the Government's change in visa rules will effectively
close the borders to people who are fleeing the horrific violence and human
rights abuses in Syria and the Arab Spring countries."
Covey added, "Many of these people who have faced persecution will have
been forced to leave at very short notice, and it will be impossible for them
to apply for any kind of visa in order to reach a place of safety."
"There was a sharp increase in the number of people from Libya and Syria
applying for asylum in the UK last year, showing that people from these
countries are in desperate need of our protection," She pointed out.
Furthermore, May said, "In the same week our Government has called for the
violence and suffering in Syria to end, it is shocking that they would also
introduce measures that will prevent people fleeing that same situation from
finding safety."
She continued, "The Government has made a commitment to offer protection to
people in need of it, and now is a crucial time to uphold that commitment, not
to withdraw it." (end)
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