New measures to secure Sinai upset residents
Sun, 15/01/2017 - 11:40 Al-Masry Al-Youm
http://www.egyptindependent.com//news/new-measures-secure-sinai-upset-residents

Residents of Sinai Peninsula expressed outrage at the new system imposed to
control the flow of people to the region, known as "the security card.”

With the beginning of the New Year, security forces at Ahmed Hamdi tunnel
started enforcing new procedures and banned several travelers from entering
South Sinai, except those who have bookings with hotels and resorts, also
demanding that tourism workers to get a "security card" proving their
non-criminal status.

Residents of the peninsula told Al-Masry Al-Youm that these procedures are
illogical as they are not living in a different country that requires a visa
system.

The head of the Lawyers Syndicate in South Sinai governorate said that this
system is unconstitutional and violates the law, as the constitutions
stipulates freedom of movement for citizens inside Egypt.

He pointed out that in such a case, the relatives of residents of South
Sinai wouldn’t be able to visit them.

Haitham Basha said that the decision with the new procedures became the main
concern for people in the governorate; it has upset them and made them feel
as if they are living in another country.

Ahmed Ghobashi, who heads a civil coaliation to support tourism in Sharm
el-Sheikh, said that this decision would affect the domestic tourism upon
which the city is currently dependent to a large extent.

However, other residents expressed support for the new procedures. Abdel
Wahed Abdel Zaher said that it would tighten security in Sinai and block the
infiltration of criminals.