Speaking following the decision by US President Donald Trump to ban citizens from seven majority Muslim countries entering the USA, S&D Group Vice President Tanja Fajon said:
“This ban is terrible idea that makes no one safer. Firstly, it makes life more difficult for thousands of people who are now unsure of whether or not they are allowed to travel to the US. This includes many dual-national EU citizens. The European Commission must urgently confirm with US counterparts who this law affects and under which circumstances, so that EU citizens and businesses have clarity.
"Beyond these important practical questions, the entire principle of the order is wrong. Banning people based solely on their religion or their country of origin makes no one safer. All it does is make life harder for innocent people and benefits extremists who want to see our societies divided.
“Orders like this go against the principles of openness and equality that the US is supposed to represent. We need to work closely with the US on many issues but we cannot stay silent when our core ideals or values are threatened. If Trump’s America continues to take a road of isolation and xenophobia, Europe must show an alternative way of openness and tolerance.”
Afzal Khan, S&D Group Special Representative to Muslim Communities, added:
"Donald Trump says his 'Muslim ban' is about fighting terrorism not religion.
“Yet, none of the Islamist terrorist attacks in the US since 2001 were perpetrated by refugees, or by citizens from any of the seven countries hit by the President’s ban.
“Donald Trump should focus on fighting actual terrorism instead of alienating the majority of Muslims and fuelling anti-American sentiment, which makes the US less safe."
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