Pay Or Stay

On the subject of the right of persons to travel freely, the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights states: "Article 13 – Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state. Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country."

It goes without saying that these so-called “rights” of free movement, travel and residence have been, and are, systematically violated by almost every nation, including both dictatorships and democracies.  The United States and the United Kingdom are among the worst violators when it suits the political convenience of the government in power at the moment.

Now comes a new instance of outrageous government action blocking freedom of international travel, this time from "down under" in the supposedly free nation of New Zealand.

Chris Kalin, the executive director of Henley & Partners AG in Zurich, (http://www.henleyglobal.com) calls to my attention an official New Zealand government web site of the Ministry of Justice (http://www.payorstay.govt.nz/) that proclaims: "UNPAID FINES COULD STOP YOU TRAVELLING OVERSEAS!"

"NZ Justice" goes on to warn Kiwis that: "If you have an unpaid fine or owe reparation, you may be stopped and even arrested on arrival or departure at any New Zealand international airport. So pay what you owe immediately and then you can travel just like everyone else."

Under New Zealand law an unpaid fine could be as insignificant as a parking ticket and "reparations" are defined broadly as any court judgment against you or your assets. Apparently in this wonderful computerized age all four million plus New Zealanders, their traffic citations and court orders have been cross indexed to the passport system -- and they'll get you coming or going.

U.S. Restrictions

Not to be outdone, the United States government restricts foreign travel for so-called "dead beat" parents who have not paid up on their court ordered child support.

Section 51.70 (a) (8) of Title 22 of the Code of Federal Regulations states, in part, that if you are certified to U.S. State Department Passport Services by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to be in arrears of child support payments in excess of $2,500, you are ineligible to receive a U.S. passport . If this applies to you, Passport Services strongly recommends that you contact the appropriate State child support enforcement agency to make payment arrangements before applying for a passport. If you already have a passport, it will be suspended for non-payment.

The State agency must certify to the US HHS that acceptable payment arrangements have been made. Then, HHS must notify Passport Services by the removal of your name from the electronic list HHS gives to Passport Services. (Passport Services cannot issue a passport until your name has been deleted by HHS.)

So much for freedom of movement.

*  To find out all about the possibilities of foreign residence, second passports, duel citizenship and travel, click here:
http://web-purchases.com/190SGOPS/W190H721/