World Leaders Condemn Trump’s Muslim Ban

Local Editor

World leaders, the United Nations [UN] and international groups condemned US President Donald Trump's measures against refugees and travelers from several Muslim countries.

The chorus of criticism came as passport holders from Arab countries were blocked on Saturday from passing through customs at US airports and others were prevented from boarding US-bound planes.

Trump on Friday signed an executive order that will curb immigration and the entry of refugees from some Muslim-majority countries.

The bans, though temporary, took effect immediately, causing havoc and confusion for would-be travelers with passports from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.

Yemen

Yemen's government warned Monday that Trump's order banning travelers from mainly Muslim countries would encourage global "extremism".

"Yemen expresses its dissatisfaction after the order prohibiting, even for a limited time, the entry to the United States of people holding a Yemeni passport," a foreign ministry spokesman said.

The Arabian Peninsula country was one of seven named by Trump in Friday's order whose nationals will be temporarily barred from travelling to the US.

"Such a decision is likely to strengthen the position of extremists," the spokesman said, adding that "the only way to achieve victory in the fight against terrorism... is dialogue and not creating barriers."

Iraq

For its part, the Iraqi parliament Sunday wanted measures to be taken in response to President Trump's executive order banning entry to the US to citizens of seven Muslim countries.

Iraqis considered the measure "unfair," and a panel had asked the government to "reciprocate."

The suggestion came from Iraq's Foreign Affairs Committee, which met in Baghdad before announcing the decision to seek punishment for the new administration for its actions.

"We ask the Iraqi government to reciprocate to the decision taken by the US administration," a statement from the panel read. One of the representatives told Reuters, "Iraq is in the frontline of the war of terrorism... and it is unfair that the Iraqis are treated in this way."

Iran

Furthermore, Iran announced it was going to ban Americans from entering in response.

Also Sunday, Iran's foreign ministry had earlier released a statement saying it would "reciprocate" with a ban on Americans entering the country.

But Iranian Foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif added that its restrictions would not apply to Americans who already have a valid visa.

"Unlike the US, our decision is not retroactive. All with valid Iranian visa will be gladly welcomed," he wrote, adding that the ban was "a great gift to extremists".

Indonesia

Indonesia - which is not one of the countries affected - foreign ministry spokesman Arrmanatha Nasir: "Even though this policy is the United States' authority, Indonesia deeply regrets it because we believe it would affect the global fight against terrorism and the refugees management negatively.

"It is wrong to link radicalism and terrorism with one particular religion," he added.

Germany and France

Germany and France also expressed discontent with Trump's measures.

"The reception of refugees fleeing the war, fleeing oppression, is part of our duties," Jean-Marc Ayrault, France's foreign minister, said during a joint news conference with his German counterpart, Sigmar Gabriel.

Germany had taken in more than one million refugees and migrants, mainly from the Middle East, since 2015.

Although traditionally open to asylum seekers, France had taken in far fewer refugees than Germany since the migrant crisis erupted.

Turkey

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim also said the Republicans' sweeping ban on people seeking refuge in the US is no solution to problems.

"Regional issues cannot be solved by closing the doors on people," Yildirim said during a joint news conference in Ankara with Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May, adding that Western countries should do more to help ease Turkey's refugee burden.

United Kingdom

May, however, refused to condemn Trump's refugee suspension.

"The United States is responsible for the United States' policy on refugees," she said when repeatedly pressed on the issue.

Luxembourg

But other European leaders made their concerns clear, with Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn condemning the new measures.

"The decision is ... bad for Europe, because it's going to strengthen even further the mistrust and hatred towards the West in the heart of the Muslim world," he told the Sunday edition of German daily Tagesspiegel, excerpts of which were released a day in advance.

United States' Democrats

Inside the US, Democrats were also quick to condemn Trump's order, saying it would tarnish the reputation of the country.

"Today's executive order from President Trump is more about extreme xenophobia than extreme vetting," said Democratic Senator Edward Markey in a statement.

United Nations

The UN refugee agency and the International Organization for Migration called on the Trump administration to continue offering asylum to people fleeing war and persecution, saying its resettlement program was vital.

"The needs of refugees and migrants worldwide have never been greater and the US resettlement program is one of the most important in the world," the two Geneva-based agencies said in a joint statement on Saturday.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team