Trump's entry ban on 7 Muslim states met by world criticism

 The recent temporary entry ban imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump on visitors from seven Muslim states has been received by world and regional criticism.

Friday's decision was criticized by the seven concerned states - Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Iran - as well as Western governments including those of Canada, Britain, Germany, France, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Czech and others.

It was also declined by world and regional bodies including the United Nations, the European Union and the Arab League.

British Prime Minister Theresa May's office said Sunday that the minister would interfere if the decision affected British nationals, stressing, "we do not agree with this kind of approach."

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted, "To those fleeing persecution, terror and war, Canadians will welcome you regardless of your faith. Diversity is our strength," posting a photo of him greeting a Syrian child at a Canadian airport.

Trump's entry ban was also rejected by French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, who emphasized that "welcoming refugees who are fleeing war is part of our duty."

As for German Chancellor Angela Merkel, she slammed Trump's 90-day restrictions on the seven Muslim countries' refugees and migrants as unjustifiable.

"It is not justified to place people from a certain origin or belief under general suspicion," said Merkel's spokesman on Sunday, noting she raised the issue on a phone call with Trump one day following the entry ban.

Also on Sunday, Sudan summoned the U.S. charge d'affaires in Khartoum to protest the ban, while Iran summoned Switzerland's ambassador for the same purpose, as he is the one in charge of the U.S. interests in the Islamic Republic.

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif described earlier on Sunday Trump's entry ban as "a great gift to extremists." A day earlier, the Iranian foreign ministry denounced the move as "an open affront against the Muslim world."

In Baghdad, the parliament's foreign affairs committee urged on Sunday the Iraqi government to "respond equally" to Trump's entry ban and prevent U.S. nationals from entering the Arab country.

Similar statements were made by officials from other involved Muslim countries including Libya and Yemen and some countries irrelevant to the ban like Indonesia.

With regards to international and regional organizations, UN agencies jointly appealed to Washington to backtrack Trump's anti-refugee decision, pressing "the need of refugees and migrants worldwide have never been greater, and the U.S. resettlement program is one of the most important in the world."

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini vowed that her commission would continue to support, welcome and take care of those who flee from war. "We will keep working for peace and coexistence. This is our history, this is our identity, our work and our commitment," she added.

For his part, AL Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit voiced on Sunday his deep concern over Trump's "unjustified restrictions," urging the U.S. administration to reconsider its position that would have negative social and cultural effects.

source: Xinhua