A curious incident

Nothing has been explained about circumstances surrounding detention and deportation Pakistani nationals from Russia

Almost nothing has been explained about the circumstances surrounding the detention and deportation of two groups of Pakistani nationals from Russia in the last week. The first group of 84 was sent back having been denied entry at Moscow airport. They were deported directly. A second group of 48 had been sent back via Turkey — a total of 132. The Moscow group had been held at least since the evening of March 23. Reports suggest that they had valid visas issued by Russian authorities and hotel bookings as well. The Russians contended that they were trying to enter the country with insufficient funds to sustain them during their stay. The Russians refused consular access when a Russian-speaking representative of the Pakistan embassy was sent to investigate on the evening of March 23; he later met them the following day. Further reports suggest that those in this group were visiting Russia to attend a conference, but details are not available beyond that.

The incident is unusual because at least the group deported from Moscow airport after being denied entry were in possession of valid travel documents and visas issued by the Russians themselves, who presumably will have screened the applicants as all states do for those applying for entry. If there were any concerns about the legitimacy of their visit, then the visa officers would have refused to make the issue — but they did not. It is also highly irregular for consular access to be denied. The men were not accused or charged with anything and if there was any doubt about their reasons for visiting Russia then they have not been made public. Arguably, Russia was breaching the Geneva Conventions by initially denying consular access. Given the lack of information, we are in the dark as to the reasons for these deportations, and can only speculate that there is a heightened sense of concern around international travellers seeking entry to Western states. We are concerned that this may be an instance of ‘negative profiling’ — and if so it bodes ill for the future Pakistanis travelling abroad. Rapid enlightenment would be warmly welcomed. 

Published in The Express Tribune, March 26^th,  2016.

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