Friday, 28 March 2025
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** The freedom to travel is becoming a privilege, not a right
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I have a recurring nightmare: I somehow find myself in China. I’m having a great time until I realise I work at Index, might be on a blacklist, and could get arrested at any moment. When I tell my nightmare to people who work in the China human rights space they always reply with the same reassurance: “It would never come to that – you’d simply be denied a visa to begin with or turned away at the border.” After all, such has been the case for several people in our field, most notably Benedict Rogers ([link removed]) of Hong Kong Watch and Aleksandra Bielakowska ([link removed]) from Reporters Without Borders (RSF) – both sent back on a plane from Hong Kong airport before setting foot in the territory.
This isn’t a China story; it’s a global one. In the article Be nice, or you’re not coming in ([link removed]) , which featured in the Spring 2024 edition of our magazine, Salil Tripathi wrote about how critics of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi were being denied entry to the country. Penny Vera-Sanso of Birkbeck University in London, Lindsay Bremner from University of Westminster and University of Sussex’s Filippo Osella – all three were turned away upon arrival. Georgia has also perfected the art of entry denial. Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, scores of independent Russian journalists weren’t allowed in ([link removed]) , no reason given. The same happened recently to Lithuanian women’s rights advocate Regina Jegorova-Askerova ([link removed]) , who was stopped at
the border despite Georgia being her home for the past 15 years and her having family there.
Is the USA joining the club? Last week, a French scientist was denied entry to the country. The French government claims it’s because of his criticism of Donald Trump. The US government says it’s instead because he was carrying confidential information on an electronic device ([link removed]) , which violated a non-disclosure agreement. A week before this, several members of the British punk band U.K. Subs ([link removed]) were turned back at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Bassist Alvin Gibbs wondered whether this was because of his public criticisms of Trump or whether that theory was just paranoia. Perhaps we are all jumping to the worst conclusions, but inciting paranoia can be intentional – and it’s certainly infectious. In the past few days, several people have spoken to me about whether they
should delete their messaging apps and social media profiles before travelling to the USA, or, for those already there, whether it’s wise to leave, fearing they won’t be allowed back in.
Hong Kong, Georgia, India, the USA – places once regarded as relatively liberal – are now part of a troubling trend where dissenters are kept out with the stroke of a pen. This is the new reality: autocrats share tactics, and the freedom to travel is becoming a privilege, not a right.
Jemimah Steinfeld
CEO, Index on Censorship
** More from Index
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Mother’s Day 2025: Celebrating the women taking on authoritarian regimes ([link removed])
We pay tribute to mothers around the world who are fighting unimaginable battles for free speech ([link removed])
From the West Bank to India: The week in free expression ([link removed])
Index rounds up some of the week’s biggest stories in the global free speech landscape ([link removed])
Power to the people? ([link removed])
Our fundamental right to protest is being eroded in the UK and USA ([link removed])
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** European SLAPP Contest 2025
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The European SLAPP Contest is back, exposing the worst offenders using legal threats to silence critics.
Think one of the nominees deserves extra recognition for their dedication to legal bullying? Vote for them in the People’s Choice Award.
VOTE NOW ([link removed])
** From elsewhere
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**
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** >> INDIA: ([link removed]) Acclaimed film banned over portrayal of police brutality ([link removed])
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** >> AUSTRALIA: ([link removed]) Hong Kong dissident faces transnational repression ([link removed]) ([link removed])
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** >> UK: ([link removed]) Police to block “intimidating” protests near places of worship ([link removed])
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** >> USA: ([link removed]) Graduate student detained over Palestinian protest ([link removed])
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** >> GAZA: ([link removed]) Al Jazeera journalist Hossam Shabat killed in Israeli attack ([link removed])
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** Flashback
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Ten tips for a safer crossing ([link removed])
by Ela Stapley ([link removed])
Index on Censorship, volume 48, issue 3 ([link removed])
Travellers are increasingly being asked to make their personal information and social media accounts available as part of border checks. Crossing a border with electronic devices that have not been protected could leave you vulnerable if your phone or laptop is seized or you are asked to unlock a device.
We look back at digital security expert Ela Stapley’s advice on keeping your data secure at borders. Read more here. ([link removed])
** Support our work
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The world is becoming more authoritarian and our work calling for safety at borders and promoting freedom of expression in countries such as India, Australia and the USA has never been more important.
By supporting Index on Censorship today, you can help us in our work with censored artists, jailed musicians, journalists under threat and dissidents facing torture or worse.
Please donate today ([link removed])
Photos by: (Customs) Ted Pink / Alamy; (Border safety) Victor / iStock /Gary Waters/Ikon
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