Travel is a Right, Not a Privilege
For Some, International travel is as routine as paying at the checkout counter.
For others, it’s as nerve-wracking as a prostate exam. Which experience you have largely depends on where you were born.
Western travellers are now getting a taste of what it’s like for those from the Global South. Since Donald Trump took office, numerous incidents of tourists, visa holders, and even green card holders facing harsh treatment at United States (US) borders have been reported.
German tourist Lucas Sielaff was detained in shackles for 16 days before deportation.
Another German and a Canadian were held for over six weeks and 12 days, respectively.
Fabian Schmidt, a German green card holder, was subjected to harsh interrogation, forced into a cold shower, and detained.
Other incidents include a French scientist denied entry and a British artist held in “horrendous conditions” for three weeks.
Germany and the United Kingdom have updated their travel advisories, and Western travelers are rethinking trips to ‘the land of the free’, which is experiencing a staggering descent into authoritarianism. For Germans, French, and British citizens, this is a new inconvenience.
For those with ‘weak passports’, it’s long been a reality.
Travellers from Bangladesh or Tanzania, for example, must disclose employment history, financial records, and social media activity.
Visa interviews require months of waiting – 507 days in Bogotá, 377 in Lagos. Approval is at the discretion of a consular officer. A denied visa comes with no appeal and no refund for the application fee.
Trump’s policies are set to make things worse. A new travel ban could target 43 countries, more than half in Africa. Many accept this discrimination, seeing travel as a privilege, not a right.
Yet policies that disadvantage people based on race, gender, or birthplace should not be tolerated. In a globalised world, mobility is essential for professional, educational, and personal opportunities.
While open borders remain distant, some nations are embracing inclusivity. Since 2018, Rwanda has granted visas on arrival to all nationalities.
Samoa allows visa-free stays for up to 60 days. China is easing entry, implementing visa-free policies for 38 countries.
These nations recognise that open borders benefit economic growth, tourism, and cultural exchange.
Countries like Rwanda, Samoa, and China prove that a more open world is possible. Instead of raising walls, Western nations should follow their lead.
Freedom of movement should not be a privilege for the lucky few, but a fundamental right for all.
Rainer Ebert and Guaiqiong Li
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