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Ministry urges travellers to be better informed |16 October 2013

Seychellois travelling abroad should inform themselves and ensure they abide by the rules and regulations in place in the countries they are visiting to avoid unpleasant situations.

The Foreign Affairs ministry is thus strengthening its consular unit to better meet the needs of the public with regard to information for travellers.

Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Paul Adam made those remarks in the National Assembly yesterday morning when answering a question by elected member for Les Mamelles Emmanuel Fideria. Mr Fideria had asked Minister Adam to inform the Assembly of his ministry’s position with regard to Seychellois citizens who are stranded overseas.

Minister Adam explained that consular affairs are a key function of his ministry and any matters needing consular intervention are always considered very seriously.

Minister Adam furthermore noted that his ministry is stepping up measures to give more information in advance on different situations on the ground in different countries namely in terms of issuing alerts  related to natural disasters, violence among others.

“We try as much as possible to advise and help any Seychellois who travel abroad even before they encounter any form of difficulty and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is always ready to answer any questions and clarify any doubts to anyone who come looking for advice before travelling abroad,” Minister Adam pointed out.

He said information on all countries with which Seychelles has signed visa waivers are available on the ministry’s website and there is also a leaflet available for all travellers and the ministry also liaise with airline companies to ensure they provide information to travellers.

He said there is a lot of information available for any Seychellois who wish to travel abroad but the ministry is strengthening its consular unit to better meet the needs of the public with regard to information for travellers.

“People travelling abroad should not hesitate to come to the Foreign Affairs Ministry for help at any time because we would not want any Seychellois to encounter problems or find themselves in difficult situations when travelling abroad,” said Minister Adam.

But he stressed that in cases where that happens, the ministry tries its best to provide help in any way it can but in line with regulations in force in the country concerned as well as with international conventions namely the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.  

He noted that among the different cases that are brought to the ministry’s attention include: repatriation in cases of accidents and deaths, lost passports where emergency travel documents are issued, arrests and detention and in such instances the ministry’s role is to ensure that human rights of the citizens are respected but cannot intervene in the country’s concerned legal process, and Seychellois who have been robbed.

Minister Adam pointed out that in cases of robbery his ministry helps families transfer money to the citizens affected and help with repatriation if the need arises.

Minister Adam explained that in very difficult circumstances the ministry also tries to help to fast-track the process for a loan if there is a need for any debt to be reimbursed.
 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends that all travellers consider a travel insurance to be on the safe side in case any misfortune strikes.

While it is the responsibility of any Seychellois travelling abroad to ensure he or she abides by the rules and regulations in place for travellers in any country, Minister Adam said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is always ready to try to provide help and support to any citizen in difficulty.

With regard to the number of incidents where Seychellois have been stranded abroad, Minister Adam pointed out that it is not often that the Foreign Affairs Ministry has to deal with such cases but stressed that in the majority of them a solution was found.

But Minister Adam pointed out that as more and more Seychellois travel the world over, the possibility of mishap increases and he highlighted as example the high profile cases where Seychellois have been arrested for being involved in illegal activities.

Minister Adam also explained that there are no one specific country where Seychellois get into more difficulties but noted that the most frequent incidents surround the issue of visas.

“Often difficulties arise in countries with which Seychelles has just signed a visa waiver as they could take time to go through different procedures before the waiver really comes into force,” said Minister Adam.



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