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Body searches at Cheddi Jagan Airport

Oct 20, 2012 Letters

Dear Editor,
I hope that you would allow me some space in your publication to air my views so that our citizens, visitors, and persons in authority can understand the archaic ways that some of our emissaries continue to operate and highlight the negatives about screening visitors to Guyana.
I would also like my comments to be viewed by our Minister of Tourism, Mr. Irfaan Ali, so that action could be taken.
If we intend to earn foreign exchange from tourists, we definitely have to equip our screeners to be more courteous and accommodating to our visitors, whether they are Guyanese or foreigners.
I returned to the US after making two trips within the past two months. Normally, I would visit every two years so that I can have a firsthand look at how the country is developing.
The first occasion was a family reunion that was held in August when I had the opportunity to meet quite a few individuals that I have known over the years, but never knew that we were relatives. On the last occasion, I was returning after a close relative passed after only one week in the US, and had to be returned to Guyana for interment at his place of choice.
The screening on arrival was commendable; the officers were both courteous and efficient. The screening exercise at the point of exit was deplorable, and can only be described as the worst experience that I ever endured while travelling within the US, Caribbean, or Guyana. I left on Caribbean Airlines flight BW 526 on 10-12-12 to JFK in the US.
I am not sure if the screeners really understood the nature of their job. It is for security of travelers, and not blatant violation of their rights.
(a)  If you have a prohibited item in your hand luggage, you are given an opportunity to return it to a relative or it would be dumped in the garbage. When I arrived I had two rolls of scotch tape from JFK in my hand luggage without objection. I was returning with the unused portion of the second one which was seized as a prohibited item. I would have been happier to voluntarily surrender that item if that screener honestly needed it.
(b) I am equipped with a medical device which prevents me from passing under any electronic scanning device. The verbal request has never been a problem, and the surgical marks are distinctly visible on my chest. A card is carried in my wallet which was over at the scanner showing the type of device implanted in case of emergency.
An officer (inspector or superintendent) who overheard my request wanted to know if I was carrying a letter. I ignored the comment because I knew I had the card, and I was already upset that there were male representatives there, but still this lone supernumerary lance corporal was doing all body searches (male or female). When she started to search between my legs, I was wondering if the way she was conducting it was indeed the best way. I have no criminal record from Guyana, or the US, and never felt the embarrassment of being body searched by a female.
I am left to wonder why we should be pioneers in violating the rights of our own citizens. I could not afford to miss my flight, so I had no alternative but to comply.
I hope that this gender situation is addressed by the authorities so that visitors do not have to seek redress for this unpleasant administrative blunder, or avoid visits due to this harassing situation. The male counterpart laughed while I protested.
Abraham Baird

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