Botswana sets new travel regulations for minors

By Thandeka Moyo

All minors aged 18 years and below entering Botswana will now be required to produce their birth certificates and passports to be allowed entry in a bid to curb human trafficking.

In a statement, Botswana’s Ministry of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs said the move was also aimed at monitoring movement of children across the country’s borders.

“The Botswana government has tightened travel regulations with a new requirement for certified copies of unabridged birth certificates for all minors under the age of 18 travelling through its ports of entry.

“Minors will now be required to produce birth certificates in addition to the standard requirement of a valid passport at all ports of entry and exit,” reads the statement.

The Ministry said in the event that one parent is not travelling with the child, the other parent’s affidavit consenting to the travel should be produced.

“However, an affidavit will not be required if the father’s name does not appear on the child’s birth certificate,” it added.

“Botswana, like other countries is affected by this (human trafficking) problem, and as such, has enacted (legislation to implement) the United Nations Anti-Human Trafficking Protocol, which calls upon governments to come up with deliberate measures aimed at combating human trafficking.” Chronicle