There are various reasons countries sometimes choose to regulate travel both in and out of their borders. During the Communist Era, countries in the Soviet bloc restricted travel mainly to prevent defection, and out of fear that people would realize life might be better outside the iron curtain. This chapter examines the impact travel restrictions had and shows they were largely unsuccessful in preventing exposure to Western ideals and culture. Many examples are given that show that without even having to travel people in Czechoslovakia and Hungary were learning through radio, television, books, and film how life was different in the West. Through personal remembrances, this chapter illustrates the effect of travel constraints and why people view the ability to travel freely as one of the main advantages of communism falling.
TopFreedom Of Movement
There has been a recurring debate about whether people have the right to leave their own country. Most scholars agree the ability to leave one’s country is a right people should have; however, most also think this is not the most important right people have (Dowty, 1987; Whelan, 1981). Different countries and multinational organizations have approached freedom of movement in various ways over time, with the level of freedom fluctuating depending on external factors. After the atrocities of World War II, the newly formed United Nations (UN) passed the Universal Declarations of Human Rights (1948), which included several statements related to freedom of movement.
Article 13 of the Declaration states:
(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state. (2) Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.
The UN reiterated these rights in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights of 1966; however, it also stated when these rights could be restricted. Number 3 in Article 12 of the Covenant states:
The above mentioned rights should not be subject to any restrictions except those provided by law, are necessary to protect national security, public order, public health or morals or the rights and freedoms of others, and are consistent with the other rights recognized in the present Covenant.
This section of the treaty is often cited by countries as justification for travel restrictions.
What then would be considered valid restrictions on travel? National security is one of the main reasons cited currently. When U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a travel ban on citizens from seven mostly Middle Eastern countries via executive order in 2017, he said it was to help prevent terrorism. Even though the ban was challenged in court and parts had to be altered or eliminated, most of the restrictions were allowed to stand. Critics alleged that the executive order was anti-Muslim, since most of the affected countries have Muslim majorities. However, Trump defended it, saying he wanted to make the country safer and keep out potential terrorists.