Visa Restriction Policy on Undermining the Democratic Process in Sierra Leone.
The United States is committed to supporting and advancing democracy in Sierra Leone and around the world. Today, I am announcing a new visa restriction policy under Section 212(a)(3)C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act for undermining the democratic process in the June 2023 Sierra Leone election.
Under this policy, the United States will pursue visa restrictions for those believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining democracy in Sierra Leone, including through the manipulation or rigging of the electoral process; intimidation of voters, election observers, or civil society organizations through threats or acts of physical violence; or the abuse or violation of related human rights in Sierra Leone. Family members of such persons may also be subject to these restrictions. Persons who undermine the democratic process in Sierra Leone—including in the lead-up to, during, and following Sierra Leone’s 2023 elections—may be found ineligible for U.S. visas under this policy.
The visa restriction policy announced today will apply to specific individuals and is not directed at the Sierra Leonean people. This decision reflects the commitment of the United States to support Sierra Leoneans’ aspirations to have free and fair elections that demonstrate the will of the people and strengthen democracy and the rule of law.
A visa restriction policy enacted by the United States to address actions that undermine the democratic process in Sierra Leone. Here's a breakdown of the announcement:
Policy Intent: The United States is dedicated to promoting and advancing democracy not only in Sierra Leone but also globally. The policy is aimed at addressing actions that negatively impact the democratic process in Sierra Leone's June 2023 election.
Legal Basis: The visa restriction policy is established under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. This section allows the U.S. government to deny visas to individuals who pose security risks or engage in activities contrary to U.S. interests, including activities that undermine democratic processes.
Scope of Restrictions: The policy targets individuals who are believed to have played a role in undermining democracy in Sierra Leone. This includes actions like manipulating or rigging elections, intimidating voters, election observers, or civil society organizations through threats or violence, and violating human rights in Sierra Leone.
Consequences: Individuals deemed responsible for such activities will face restrictions on obtaining U.S. visas. Additionally, family members of these individuals may also be subject to these restrictions. This means that those involved in undermining the democratic process may find themselves ineligible for U.S. visas.
Applicability: The policy is not intended to target the general population of Sierra Leone. Instead, it focuses on specific individuals who are involved in actions detrimental to the democratic process. This signifies that the U.S. recognizes and supports the aspirations of Sierra Leoneans to have genuinely free and fair elections that reflect the will of the people and enhance democracy and the rule of law.
Temporal Scope: The policy is relevant throughout the electoral process, encompassing the period leading up to, during, and following Sierra Leone's 2023 elections.
In summary, the United States is implementing a visa restriction policy as a response to actions that undermine democracy in Sierra Leone. The policy is aimed at specific individuals responsible for activities like election manipulation and intimidation, to uphold the principles of democracy and support the people's desire for free and fair elections.