Posted on 04/17/2002 3:41:08 PM PDT by vannrox
The SA Human Rights Commission (HRC) is to take issue with SA Airways after two Muslim passengers were removed from a London-bound flight last Thursday because a passenger believed they were "suspicious". The removal of the two by the captain of flight SA 260 at the insistence of a first-class passenger caused a few hours delay at Johannesburg International Airport. The two passengers have since threatened to sue the airline. Human rights commissioner Jody Kollapen said the captain's conduct was "totally unacceptable" and that the HRC would engage SAA with regard to its standing policies in dealing with issues of that nature, to ensure it never occurs again. While the HRC had not received any complaints regarding the incident, it was entitled to take up the matter as part of its mandate, Kollapen said. The incident has drawn angry reactions, mostly from Muslim communities, which charge that it is part of a growing global trend against them since the September 11 terror attacks on the United States. SAA spokesperson Victor Nosi said airline officials would meet the two passengers on their return from London and extend a formal apology for any embarrassment or inconvenience caused by perceptions that SAA had been biased against them. Nosi said the airline was bound by and operating under stringent security procedures implemented by the Airports Company of South Africa. "These security procedures are endorsed by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), South Africa's Civil Aviation Authority and other bodies. "Since September 11, we have been required by the FAA to introduce extra security measures particularly on international flights. Should SAA not subscribe to the security requirements, its license will be revoked." - Sapa SAA under fire after Muslims thrown off plane
SAA expressed regret
"It is simply unacceptable that a private individual can have such powers over other passengers without any substantiating evidence.
"While everyone can objectively alert authorities on possible dangers, security matters cannot be used as a smokescreen to violate other people's rights based on their colour or religion," he said.
Meanwhile, SAA on Tuesday expressed regret at the incident and promised to take action against those responsible.
It said its officials would meet the two Muslim passengers on their return and apologise once again.
"SAA is wholly owned by the South African government and subscribes to this country's Constitution which outlaws discrimination of any form.
"SAA does not condone the discrimination of passengers based on race, colour, creed or religion. Such behaviour will never be tolerated," he said.
April 15 2002 at 09:12PM
By Siyabonga Mkhwanazi
Two South African businessmen who were unceremoniously ordered off an SAA flight to London at Johannesburg International Airport last week have vowed to take legal action.
Zeyn Jabwat and Yunus Bobat say they were ejected from the plane after a first-class passenger demanded that they be kicked off because they looked "suspicious".
The two are Muslims.
After the unidentified passenger's demand, the captain ordered both Jabawt and Bobat to produce their passports again at customs.
The flight, which was initially scheduled to depart at 8.45pm last Thursday, finally left the airport the next day.
Speaking from London on Monday, Bobat said they were considering taking legal action against the passenger concerned. "We would consider taking it to the Human Rights Commission... because it was discrimination.
"We won't take the matter lying down. It was embarrassing for us to be treated that way," said Bobat.
"The (other) passengers were very upset. They couldn't understand why this man was picking on us," said Bobat.
He said they would begin consultations with their lawyers once they got back to South Africa on Thursday.
An SAA spokesman, Rich Mkhondo, said they were expecting a final report from the flight's captain today to find out what happened.
"At the moment we have contradictory statements because... this is a sensitive issue," said Mkhondo.
He added that the airline would not tolerate anybody making demands to the flight's captain to take action against a passenger based on race or religion.
But it wasn't a passenger who threw them off the plane, it was the pilot. The pilot is not a private individual. He is the captain of the aircraft, and personally responsible for the safety of the passengers. But what can you expect from a commie government like South Africa?
You can expect them to abide by international treaties.
Cdr Susanne Ivannov B5
"Sir, I believe you are a muslim"
"Yes, I am."
"You believe the Koran is the word of God, and binding on all muslims?"
"Yes."
"In the Koran, does God call for the killing of non-believers, and promise those who kill them a reward in heaven?" "Yes, it does." "Your honor, the defense rests."
It would appear that there was sufficient time (at least 3+ hours) for a lot more than the captain or the objecting passanger to have been involved in the decision.
"But what can you expect from a commie government like South Africa?"
Shame on you! How can you say such a thing? Don't you know that now that the Apartheid government is gone, the South African government is magically the most righteous government in the world? </sarcasm>
And in newly racism-FRee South Africa of all places.
What are the bastards hiding? What are they planning?
And which South African Airways Aircraft Commander will next dare excercise his Absolute Command of his aeroplane?
[Guess, thank God, I can look forward to hearing even more Yarpie accents doing the cockpit announcements of EVA AIR (ASIA's SUPERIOR AIRLINE!) in future!]
If things go the way they always seem to, now, in South Africa, the pilot will be fired, fined , and all regs will now be removed. Of course, that means that covilized countries will refuse to allow them to land. Mbeki will start screaming his usual damn the white man speech, and we're again off to the races. Please, Mbeki, do it, and kiss NEPAD a fond farewell.
In a place like that, with a large muslim population I do believe, its proper to expect agitation from the supporters of the Axis of Evil.
A Captain has the right to remove passengers he thinks might be dangerous. I've seen bus drivers do it, just pull over and leave people on the side of the highway.
South Africa is a powder keg. The enemy knows this.
It's kind of like a black man feeling insulted while he's walking down a dark street at night- when someone is afraid of him, does he sue the person who was afraid of him???
If the Muslims want the stigma to be removed from their group, then they'd better start saying something, to condemn (and help apprehend) the true criminals, lest they be judged guilty by association.
Lie with dogs, don't be surprised to have fleas, ya' know???
FReegards,
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