Correspondence with Amnesty Interntional

[sher_khan]

I have previously made a post on the refusal of UK visas to the blind cricket team of Pakistan. They are currently world champions and will not be able to defend their title. In my opinion this was a very insensitive action on part of the British authorities. Accordingly, I contacted Amnesty International on the matter.

The article informing us of the refusal, response of Amnesty International upon my contact and my reply to their response are listed below. Please note that my initial contact with the amnesty was via their website for which I have no record. Also, I am very open to any suggestions and opinions by other fellow patrons of this website. No one will respect us unless we start to fight for the respect of our own people.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8200717.stm

AMNESTYS RESPONSE TO MY INITIAL CONATCT


Dear Sher,

Thank you for your email.

Amnesty Internationals program of research and action is focused on preventing and ending grave abuses of the rights to physical and mental integrity, freedom of conscience and expression, and freedom from discrimination.

In this context, we focus in particular on:

campaigning to abolish the death penalty, torture, and other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment;
ending extra-judicial executions and "disappearances";
protecting the human rights of refugees and asylum seekers;
protecting the human rights of non-combatants in armed conflicts;
working for fair and prompt trials for all political prisoners;
seeking the release of all prisoners of conscience.

We do not compile any information or take action on the issue you refer to but we would suggest that the cricket team should seek legal advice if they wish to challenge the refusals.

Best wishes,

Rachel Armitage

Supporter Care Team
Amnesty International UK
Tel: 020 7033 1777
http://www.amnesty.org.uk

Amnesty International UK
The Human Rights Action Centre
17-25 New Inn Yard
London
EC2A 3EA



MY REPLY TO AMNESTY

Hi Rachel:

Thanks for your reply. Much appreciated.

Would you be able to advise me of an organization which is similar to yours but work on the parameters of discrimination against the handicapped and ill treatment of people with "specific" backgrounds?

My interpretation of the incident is that the visas for these disabled individuals were denied basically because they were of Pakistani origin. They will not be able to defend their world title.

The communicated reason of denial is security related. The authorities believe that there is a security risk. The visitors may not return to the country of their origin.

In my opinion, it seems that the above mentioned reasons are unsatisfactory. It is safe to assume that the blind individuals will not be able to find their way around the streets of England by themselves, unlike illegal residents in England and hence will not be able to survive. Furthermore, apparently these individuals have paid similar visits before and have always returned home. The article that I have already forwarded to Amnesty clearly depicts how much of a difference cricket has made in the lives of these individuals.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8200717.stm

Furthermore, I reside in Canada. Canadians go extreme lengths to make sure that our handicapped citizens are provided the required facilities and opportunities which boost their self-esteem, confidence and Independence. Actually, in some cases priorities are given to people with disabilities in order to reach the same goals. These priorities range from small preferences like preferred seating arrangements on public transit to large supports like significant financial assistance. Regardless of the ethnic origins of the individuals.

I believe that these handicapped people were "discriminated against" and their "human rights were not protected" when visas were refused by the authorities because of the security risk. The reason for refusal being their origin. I think that exceptions should be made when it comes to handicapped individuals.

I respect Amnesty's suggestion to seek a legal advice but I have to respectfully disagree.

It's a matter of public awareness. Only social pressure can influence such insensitive visa refusals.

I believe that good people of UK, once adequately informed by a reputable organization on this incident would be appalled.

Hence I will be grateful if you could give me names of any such organizations which specialize in tackling such issues. Preferably global, if not then UK organizations will be great too. I notice that you reside in London ad that's why I was bold enough to ask.

My personal endeavours of finding such an organization on the web have not been successful.

I appreciate Amnesty's role in the globe in general and your individual contribution to such an organization.

Regards,
Sher

 

[sfashing]

they also refused visa to one pakistani pipe band. this is to isolate pakistan and i believe that jewish and hindu zionist are behind this.

 

[khalid100]

they also refused visa to one pakistani pipe band. this is to isolate pakistan and i believe that jewish and hindu zionist are behind this.

For God's sake. Get a life and don't blame others for our own bad deeds. UK is full of fake asylum seekers and illegal immigrants from Pakistan. They really are skeptical about it. Few years ago some officials of special Olympics team disappeared in Ireland.
Also see the following news from Ireland:
http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/scam ... 20125.html

Immigration officials have been stumped by scamming cricket teams from the Middle East who arrange matches but go on the run rather than play, it emerged today.

The Department of Justice said in the last year two teams, with players mainly from Pakistan and Bangladesh, caught out border control after they came to compete but never turned up for the innings.

Justice chiefs warned it has become a growing trafficking trend.

They were genuine cricket teams and it was a genuine cricket competition they were travelling over to Ireland for, a spokesman for the Department said.

There was a legitimate competition and the teams were let in.

But when they got into the State they never turned up for the matches ... and some of them were then located subsequently in Britain.

Immigration officials said they believed a trend was developing after several teams applied to enter the State from the Middle East with one or two members of each party having a good travel history.

Once here legally, some players claimed asylum or disappeared.

The Department said on one occasion 10 team members were stopped as they tried to travel on to the UK without having to use a passport as Ireland and Britain share a common travel area. They later claimed asylum.

Immigration chiefs believe a Pakistani showjumping team also duped border control.

The Department could not give the precise details of the competitions but claimed the teams had been registered to play.

However, Cricket Ireland, the body overseeing the sport across the island, said they had never heard of such attempted immigration scams or vanishing cricket teams.

Spokesman Barry Chambers said: This is the first Ive heard of this.

Mr Chambers said cricketers coming over to Ireland to play for Irish clubs have to go through a strict process.

The only cricketers that come in are from Pakistan and India and they have to go through a pretty rigorous application process.

They just cant roll up and start playing cricket.

Meanwhile, the Department also said there were growing numbers of foreign nationals legally in the State claiming child benefit for kids living outside the country.

The majority of cases involve Chinese people.

Between October 2008 and April 2009 there were 130 incidences costing the taxpayer 230,000.

Read more: http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/scam ... z0Oa6A1AUL

 

[abbasiali]

This is a very touching subject, very impressive,

Being Canadian Sher Khan, he is very well aware of rules, and know how to coordinate for this subject, Unfortunately, In Pakistan, citizens are not aware of rights, and its far away to even think to ask for the rights or to follow up.

I appreciate his initiate in this regard, which should have had taken by Pakistani officials.

Regards.