Key Facts
- Author
- Sam March
- Event
- Global Refugee Forum (GRF) in Geneva, Switzerland
- Travel document
- Obtained after five-year struggle, missing date and place of birth
- Visa outcome
- Initially denied, later granted limited territorial visa with help
- Airline response
- Directed to 'special assistance' page for caretaker or wheelchair
- Transit embassy response
- Vague email: staying in transit area should be fine, but immigration may decide otherwise
Background
Sam March, a person born stateless, describes the experience of lacking a nationality and the fundamental human rights that come with it. In an essay published by Global Voices, March details the fear and obstacles that stateless individuals face in everyday situations, such as standing before passport control.
March was invited to present the Global Movement Against Statelessness (GMAS) at the Global Refugee Forum (GRF) in Geneva, Switzerland. After a five-year struggle to obtain a travel document, March was disheartened to find that the document omitted the date and place of birth, feeling that parts of their identity had been erased.
Current Situation
Despite the embassy and visa center websites offering a stateless option and successfully filling out an application, March was denied at the appointment because the travel document was not accepted by the embassy. The document that grants the right to travel did not even allow submission of a visa application.
With help and letters to the embassy, and because of the invitation, March was eventually granted a limited territorial visa. However, the experience was bittersweet, as reminders that the journey almost did not happen made March feel small and disgraced.
When booking a flight, March was directed to the airline's 'special assistance' page to check if a caretaker or wheelchair was needed, revealing the airline's lack of awareness about stateless individuals. Customer service repeated that the passenger must obtain the right to enter the destination country, but provided no clear answer.
Impacts
The lack of clear guidance from embassies and airlines leaves stateless travelers in a state of uncertainty and fear. March's email to the transit country embassy received a vague response, stating that staying in the transit area should be fine, but immigration could choose otherwise at the borders.
Stateless individuals face systemic barriers that hinder their freedom of movement, as illustrated by March's experience of being denied a visa application and encountering ignorance from service providers. The emotional toll is significant, with March describing the journey as a nightmare and feeling like 'not a full human being.'
Future Outlook
Scenario analysis: The possibilities below are not certain predictions.
If embassies and airlines improve their understanding and policies regarding stateless individuals, travel could become less daunting. However, without such changes, stateless travelers may continue to face similar obstacles and emotional distress.
The Global Movement Against Statelessness and similar advocacy efforts may push for greater awareness and systemic reforms. If successful, future stateless travelers could experience smoother processes, but progress remains uncertain and dependent on broader political will.
