By: Frank P. Martin
MONROVIA: In what appears to be a significant push for equal treatment, Human Rights International and a group, styled: “Free Liberia Movement,” over the weekend, submitted a formal petition to the American Embassy in Monrovia, advocating for visa-free access for Liberians to the United States (US).
The petition, delivered by a Liberian rights advocate, Torli Krua, representative of the organizations, urged the U.S. government to reconsider its current visa policy on Liberia, which the petitioners characterized as “unjust and discriminatory.”
Krua highlighted the “historical ties” between Liberia and the United States, asserting that “these connections warrant a visa waiver for Liberians.”
Mr. Krua disclosed that the United States of America (USA), had extended Visa-free Access to citizens of over 40 countries worldwide, and the exclusion of Liberian citizens from this list is not only “unjust but also represents a form of discrimination.”
“The refusal to grant visa waivers to Liberian citizens is not only unjust but also a violation of their fundamental rights,” he stated.
The petitioners, at the same time, accused the U.S. Embassy near Monrovia of profiteering from visa fees collected from Liberians over the years, describing the practice as “an act of corruption.”
The petitioners underscored the need for Liberians to demand American Visa Waiver.
They stressed the need for better access to quality education, improved healthcare, and other essential services for Liberians including women and children.
The petition seeks to galvanize support and draw American Government’s attention to what the groups described as “a long-standing injustice” against Liberians.
According to our reporter who covered the petitioning program in front of the US Embassy in Mamba Point in Monrovia, the petition was received by a Representative of the U.S. Embassy near Monrovia but the American Embassy official, whose identity was not disclosed did not make any statement to the petitioners.
The outcome of the petition remains uncertain as the advocacy groups disclosed that they await an official response from the United States government.
In 2021, the groups filed a lawsuit against the United States Government, seeking a court to declassify unlawful and racist secret message from Washington, DC in 1990 to the US Embassy in Monrovia, ordering visa denial to all Liberians.
The petitioning rights groups that seek full refund in millions of dollars to Liberian visa applicants who had been denied visa since 1990 and the restoration of US visa waiver to “all persons born in Liberia”, consistent with Article 1 of the Liberian Constitution of 1824.
At the time, the groups sought a court order, requesting United States Congress to mitigate what the groups also described as the first “Apartheid Law in modern history, the March 26, 1790 act of Congress, dominated by white supremacists and slave masters, which made the color of the skin of a human being the requirement of US citizenship.”
The law was signed by the first US President George Washington, who was believed to be an owner of hundreds of slaves, who never freed anyone of his slaves in his lifetime.
The lawsuit also sought a new law specifically crafted to mitigate American Colonization of March 3, 1819, that authorized the US Navy to facilitate setting up an American Colony-Liberia in West Africa and appropriated US$100,000 of American taxpayers to build barracks for the Navy in the new colony.
Research conducted by this reporter quoted a prominent Journalist, Amit Verain, with over 10 years experience in news and content writing, who is also a key member of TUC Nigeria, disclosed via social media that the United States has expanded its Visa Waiver Program (VWP), making it easier for people from many countries to visit the US without a visa.
Renowned for his insightful and engaging articles, Amit Verain who also specializes in current affairs and socio-political analyses, confirmed that the United States has expanded its Visa Waiver Program (VWP), making it easier for people from many countries to visit the US without a visa.
“This means you can enjoy a trip to the US for up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes, with a few simple steps.
“Imagine a program that lets people from certain countries visit the US for a short time without needing a special visa document. That’s the VWP! It’s designed to make travel smoother and encourage tourism,” he wrote.
Who can visit the US with the VWP?
Citizens of over 40 countries can now travel to the US under the VWP. This includes some exciting additions like Poland, South Korea, and Spain.
Other countries that are benefiting from the US Visa Waiver program e s are Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland.
Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway (New), Poland (New), Portugal (New), San Marino (New), Singapore (New), Slovakia (New), Slovenia (New), South Korea (New), Spain (New), Sweden (New), Switzerland (New) are also benefiting from the American Visa Waiver program.
Having access to the free visa waiver means Easier Travel: No more lengthy visa application process for citizens of participating countries. Tourism Boost: More visitors means more business for hotels, restaurants, and attractions in the US; Cultural Exchange: People from different countries can experience each other’s cultures!
