Amnesty International has revealed that visa systems in Europe’s Schengen area have become major barriers for human rights defenders (HRDs) from across the Global South, preventing many from participating in vital global forums. In its new report Closing the door? How visa policies in Europe’s Schengen area fail human rights defenders, the organization highlights how complex and restrictive visa procedures directly contradict the values that Schengen states claim to uphold. Activists from 104 visa-restricted countries—mainly in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East—face numerous challenges when applying for short-term visas for advocacy, networking, or even temporary refuge.
According to Amnesty’s findings, the majority of those affected are racialized as Black, Asian, and/or Muslim, leading to indirect discrimination and the exclusion of their voices from key decision-making spaces. Erika Guevara Rosas, Senior Director for Research, Advocacy, Policy and Campaigns at Amnesty International, emphasized that denying access to visas silences those most impacted by global policies. She stressed that ensuring HRDs can obtain Schengen visas reliably and transparently is essential to protecting their right to defend human rights without discrimination.
The report outlines several obstacles in the visa process. One of the first is identifying where to submit an application, as many Schengen states lack embassies or visa agreements in every country. This forces applicants to travel to other nations at significant financial and personal risk. Lengthy waiting periods, limited visa validity, and last-minute approvals further complicate travel. Applicants also face strict documentation requirements—such as proof of income, employment, or property ownership—which are difficult for many activists who work voluntarily or live in precarious economic conditions.
These systemic issues, Amnesty argues, amount to indirect racial discrimination. Although the visa rules appear neutral, they disproportionately impact people from countries whose populations are racialized as Black, Asian, or Muslim. As one Dalit woman defender from Nepal told Amnesty, requiring financial proof such as bank statements excludes many grassroots activists who live day to day but play crucial roles in human rights advocacy.
There have been some signs of progress. In June 2024, the European Commission released a revised EU Visa Handbook with practical guidance for easing visa processes for HRDs. Amnesty welcomed this step but urged Schengen countries to ensure the new guidelines are effectively disseminated and implemented. The organization also called for comprehensive training of visa officers, collection of disaggregated data on race and ethnicity, and the introduction of a facilitated visa process for HRDs—including faster processing and long-term, multiple-entry visas.
The Schengen area, consisting of 29 European countries including non-EU members such as Switzerland and Norway, is governed by the EU Visa Code for short-term visa issuance. Amnesty International based its findings on interviews with 42 organizations that have supported HRD travel and testimonies from 32 defenders who have directly experienced the visa process, revealing the urgent need for reform to ensure equitable access and inclusion.
