Human rights activists in Malawi are asking the United States (US) government to clearly explain new travel restrictions that are affecting Malawians.
Human rights activist Habiba Osman raised concerns after Malawi was put on a list of countries facing partial travel restrictions to the US.
As such, she wants to know whether the rules will affect Malawian officials and citizens attending international meetings such as the United Nations General Assembly (Unga), the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) and global sports events such as the World Cup.
Osman also questioned how the decision affects relations between Malawi and the US.
She asked whether diplomatic relations require travel by officials from both countries and what the restrictions mean.
- Advertisement -
She has asked the US Embassy in Lilongwe to clearly explain how the restrictions will work and which Malawians will be affected.
Human rights activists and governance experts have warned that the restrictions could affect Malawians travelling to the US for tourism, business, education and exchange programs.
Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation Executive Director Michael Kaiyatsa said the concerns about attending international meetings such as Unga were valid.
“Taking part in these forums is key to promoting human rights.
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
“Any travel restrictions should be clear, fair and not discriminatory. They should not stop Malawi from meeting its international duties or prevent its citizens from taking part in global discussions.” Kaiyatsa said
These concerns follow an announcement by US President Donald Trump, who introduced new entry restrictions on people from 24 countries.
The US government says the decision is based on concerns about security, screening and sharing of information.
Meanwhile, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Charles Nkhalamba has said the government will engage the US government through its embassy.
“The Malawi Government will use the existing platforms to reach out to the USA government to discuss the visa ban and its implications,” Nkhalamba said.
According to a White House statement, eight countries face a full suspension while 16 others, including Malawi, face partial restrictions.
Other countries under partial restriction include Angola, Nigeria, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
The restrictions affect immigrants and some non-immigrant visa holders, including visitors and students using B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas.
The US government said the move was influenced by high visa overstay rates and challenges in enforcing immigration rules.
The latest US Overstay Report shows that Malawi has a 22.45 percent overstay rate for B-1 and B-2 visas, which are for business and tourism. The overstay rate for student and exchange visas (F, M, and J) is 31.99 percent.
The US uses this report to check how well visitors follow immigration rules. High overstay rates can lead to tougher visa rules. Although the US has not called the measure a total ban, experts say it may lead to stricter checks and fewer visas for Malawians.
