Angelina Jolie: Actions should be on facts

American superstar Angelina Jolie has called US President Donald Trump’s travel ban a measure based on fears.

The famous actress, filmmaker and activist wrote the remarks on Thursday in an op-ed titled “Refugee Policy Should Be Based on Facts, Not Fear,” adding that the US needs to manage its security without writing off citizens of entire countries.

“Refugees are men, women and children caught in the fury of war, or the cross hairs of persecution. Far from being terrorists, they are often the victims of terrorism themselves,” Jolie wrote.

This comes as many officials as well as figures in art and institutions related to filmmaking industries across the globe have already joined the chorus of protest against the travel ban ordered by Trump.

Donald Trump signed an executive order on January 27 refusing citizens of seven predominantly Muslim countries entry to the US for a period of 90 days.

Jolie was appointed special envoy of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in 2012 and continues to write in support of displaced people.

As a “mother of six children, who were all born in foreign lands and are proud American citizens, I very much want our country to be safe for them, and all our nation’s children,” Jolie also said.

“If we send a message that it is acceptable to close the door to refugees, or to discriminate among them on the basis of religion, we are playing with fire,” the actress noted.

AI/AG