On February 17, 2025, Human Rights Watch released a report that sheds light on the challenging landscape faced by Tibetans and Uyghurs in acquiring Chinese passports. The report paints a detailed picture of the intricate and seemingly insurmountable bureaucracy imposed on these ethnic minorities, systematically hindering their ability to travel internationally.
The heart of the issue lies in the stringent requirements that go beyond the norm for securing a passport. The Chinese government has introduced arbitrary and excessive documentation demands, coupled with the necessity for multi-tiered government approvals. For those hailing from regions like Tibet, Xinjiang, and other autonomous prefectures across Qinghai, Gansu, Sichuan, and Yunnan, the dream of international travel often remains just that—a dream.
Restricted Regions and Discriminatory Policies
The struggle exacerbates for these communities because their regions were notably excluded from China's 2002 streamlined passport application system. Instead of benefiting from a straightforward process, individuals from these areas endure prolonged, sometimes indefinite, waiting periods. The road to obtaining a passport is fraught with obstacles, from routine denials that lack any justified reason to excessively elongated delays that can last for years.
Maya Wang, serving as the associate China director at Human Rights Watch, has been a vocal critic of these practices. She describes the passport application process for Tibetans and Uyghurs as undeniably discriminatory. Under the guise of 'anti-crime' efforts, authorities often deny applications, leaving many without valid justification. Wang, along with other human rights advocates, argues that these measures violate the international travel rights guaranteed to all.
The report calls for an immediate end to such biased practices. Human rights organizations worldwide are urging the Chinese authorities to rectify these policies to ensure equal travel rights for all ethnic groups in China. The debate continues as the globe watches closely, hoping for reforms that prioritize human rights over bureaucratic discrimination.