Three Countries Where Citizens Are Restricted from Traveling Out And Penalties For Culprits
Dave Ikiedei Asei
November 9, 2024
In many countries, international travel is considered a basic freedom. However, there are certain nations where leaving the country is either heavily restricted or practically impossible for citizens. For those living in these restrictive environments, buying a ticket and departing for a new destination remains out of reach due to complex travel laws, strict government controls, and even punishments for attempting to exit without authorization. This article examines some of the nations that impose severe restrictions on their citizens' freedom to travel abroad.
Eritrea:
Tight Control and Heavy Consequences
Eritrea, an East African country with a population of approximately 3.6 million, is notorious for its strict control over citizens' freedom of movement. For Eritreans, traveling outside the country is not a straightforward process, as the government enforces multiple restrictive policies to limit their ability to leave.
National Service Requirements and Travel Bans
One of the main reasons for travel restrictions in Eritrea is its national service program, which requires citizens to serve indefinitely in the military or other state-controlled work sectors. Failure to complete or evade national service obligations leads to strict penalties, which extend beyond the individual to impact their families as well. As a result, citizens who have not fulfilled their service duties are legally barred from exiting the country.
To prevent citizens from escaping, the Eritrean government carries out annual roundups targeting those who have evaded service, often using aggressive measures to enforce compliance. Border patrol personnel are authorized to use lethal force on anyone attempting to cross the border without authorization, and individuals caught trying to flee face severe punishments, including fines, imprisonment, and loss of rights.
Penalties for Returnees and Their Families
For Eritreans who manage to leave the country illegally, returning is highly risky. Offenders who return after extended periods, particularly those who have been away for decades, face prolonged imprisonment upon reentry. Furthermore, families of escapees are often punished as well, with relatives facing fines, property seizures, forced labor as replacements, or even jail time.
Restrictions on National Teams and International Events
The Eritrean government’s tight grip on international travel has even affected the nation’s sports teams. For example, the Eritrean national football team rarely participates in international competitions, as the government fears that players might defect and seek asylum abroad. This fear recently led Eritrea to withdraw from the 2026 World Cup qualifying rounds, as the possibility of players not returning home poses a threat to the government's control.
North Korea:
Limited Mobility and Strict Government Control
North Korea is another country where citizens face extensive limitations on their freedom to travel abroad. Governed by an authoritarian regime, North Korea controls almost every aspect of daily life, including the movement of its people both domestically and internationally. North Korean citizens must obtain government authorization to leave the country, which is granted only under specific conditions and typically limited to those with strong political ties or those tasked with representing the regime abroad.
Reasons Behind the Travel Ban
The North Korean government imposes these restrictions to prevent its citizens from being exposed to external information that contradicts state-controlled narratives. The regime goes to great lengths to keep citizens within its ideological framework and discourage defections. In rare cases when citizens do manage to leave, they often face severe consequences, including punishment of family members who remain in North Korea.
Enforced Consequences for Unauthorized Exits
For those who try to leave North Korea illegally, the risks are severe. If caught, individuals attempting to escape face incarceration in labor camps, and many are forced to undergo "reeducation" programs that reinforce state ideology. Family members of escapees are also punished, facing either forced relocation or imprisonment. The North Korean government’s strict travel restrictions serve as a powerful means of maintaining control over its population.
Turkmenistan:
Strict Travel Controls and Complex Bureaucracy
Turkmenistan, an isolated Central Asian country, imposes a series of bureaucratic obstacles that make it challenging for citizens to travel abroad. Although not as draconian as Eritrea or North Korea, Turkmenistan's travel policies are still restrictive enough to make it difficult for many citizens to leave.
Travel Permits and Exit Bans
In Turkmenistan, obtaining a passport or travel permit is a complex process that involves extensive bureaucratic hurdles. Citizens must provide a valid reason for travel, and requests are often denied without explanation. The government frequently enforces travel bans on political dissidents, journalists, and individuals deemed a threat to the state’s image abroad.
Consequences for Attempted Defection
For those who attempt to travel without authorization or are found to be fleeing, punishments can include fines, job termination, or revocation of housing. In some cases, individuals are put under state surveillance, making it challenging for them to attempt another escape.
Restricted International Engagement
To further limit the risk of defections, Turkmenistan has restricted its citizens' involvement in international activities. Citizens are rarely allowed to attend foreign events or educational programs, and the government enforces tight regulations on foreign travel for state employees. These restrictions have isolated Turkmenistan's population from the broader world, limiting their exposure to new ideas and foreign cultures.
Conclusion: Freedom of Movement as a Global Right
While the ability to travel internationally is taken for granted in many parts of the world, for citizens of countries like Eritrea, North Korea, and Turkmenistan, this right remains severely restricted. In these nations, government-imposed barriers and harsh penalties make it nearly impossible for individuals to exercise their basic freedom of movement. These policies highlight the critical relationship between political freedoms and the right to travel, raising important questions about the impact of such restrictions on personal liberties and the ability to interact with the global community.
Understanding these restrictions sheds light on the unique challenges faced by citizens under authoritarian regimes. For many, the freedom to move beyond their country's borders remains a distant aspiration, overshadowed by stringent government control and the consequences that await those who attempt to defy these limitations
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