U.S. denies entry to Syrian aid worker traveling to accept humanitarian award
http://www.humanosphere.org/world-politics/2016/04/u-s-denies-entry-to-syrian-aid-worker-traveling-to-accept-humanitarian-award/
by Tom Murphy
The U.S. has denied entry to a Syrian aid worker traveling to accept an award for providing humanitarian assistance to tens of thousands of fellow Syrians, work supported by the U.S. government. Raed Saleh, head of Syria Civil Defence, arrived at Washington Dulles airport late Monday night and was told his visa was no longer valid, said his colleague Zouheir Albounni. The decision was swiftly condemned by InterAction, the group honoring Saleh last night, and Relief International.
“I am shocked and saddened to learn that Raed would be turned away by U.S. officials on the eve of being recognized by his peers in the international humanitarian community for his heroic work in Syria to help bring life-saving assistance to communities under fire in Syria,” said Sam Worthington, head of InterAction, in a statement.
Why the U.S. denied entry to a humanitarian who has the backing of USAID remains unclear. Saleh is back in Istanbul, where his journey to the U.S. started. InterAction told Humanosphere that it plans to deliver the award to Saleh in person, hopefully at the upcoming World Humanitarian Summit.
Raed Saleh
The 32-year-old leads more than 2,800 search-and-rescue workers across Syria. The group, which takes a neutral stance in the ongoing civil war, says it has saved more than 40,000 lives since fighting began.
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We shut out the good people and arm the bad ones. Read the whole fascinating article.
