Discriminatory targeting of travellers by border control officials

Harassment of travellers by immigration officials
Harassment of travellers by customs officials
Harassment of travellers through consular procedures
Administrative impediments in obtaining travel visas
Victimization by immigration control procedures

Nature

Discriminatory procedures may be applied to certain categories of travellers. These may include deliberate delays in the process of obtaining a visa, requiring repeated visits and lengthy waiting in queues. Whether or not a visa has been obtained, travellers may be subject to harassment by immigration officials at the point of entry, without any ability to appeal against such treatment for fear of official reprisal.

Incidence

Travellers from developing countries are routinely humiliated during interviews by consular and immigration officials when seeking to enter industrialized countries.

Counter-claim

Governments are obliged to use tough procedures in order to distinguish legitimate visitors from those endeavouring to enter or settle in a country illegally.