Two American Registrants Denied Entry to the Philippines

Source: floridaactioncommittee.org 4/15/25 Two American persons forced to register as sex offenders, one for an offense that took place more than two decades ago and one for an offense that took place 36 years ago, were denied entry into the Philippines earlier this month. It’s an unfortunate reminder of how persons forced to register continue to deal with lifelong consequences from decades-old convictions and how the US’s policy of branding passports and sending notice to receiving countries contributes to their banishment. Read the full article  

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Guyana: No Hiding Place: Sex Offender List to Go National in Guyana.

Source:  thestkittsnevisobserver.com 4/10/25 Public meetings are now happening in Guyana as the government plans to update the Sexual Offences Act. The goal is to give better protection to victims and handle sexual violence cases more effectively. The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security is asking people and organizations to share their ideas on a new draft law called the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill 2024. Civil society groups are especially encouraged to send in their suggestions. New sex offender database proposed One of the main ideas in the draft law…

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Europe: CSAM platform Kidflix shut down by international operation

Source: therecord.media 4/2/25 A multi-year operation against the child sexual abuse material (CSAM) platform Kidflix has led to dozens of arrests and the seizure of tens of thousands of illegal videos, Europol said Wednesday. Some of the 79 people arrested “not only uploaded and watched videos but also abused children,” Europol said, reporting that 39 children had been protected because of the operation.  “The investigation is ongoing,” the agency said, with 35 countries participating overall in what it labeled as the “largest child sexual exploitation operation in Europol’s history.” Users accessed…

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Cyprus: Bill proposes chemical castration as alternative to life sentences

Source: cyprus-mail.com 3/28/25 Convicted child sex offenders could have the option to trade their life sentences for chemical castration if a bill proposed by Dipa MP Michalis Yiacoumi is passed. Under the proposed regulations, a convicted offender can apply to the council for the release of prisoners, which would have the authority to grant early release if the convict agrees to undergo chemical castration. The bill builds on the 2014 law that mandated life sentences for child sex crimes, making it stricter by allowing harsher sentences for child abuse and extending…

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UK: Man confronted by paed*phile hunters found dead on M4 motorway after falling from height and then being struck by cars

Source: thesun.co.uk 3/24/25 The married man had been arrested and released by cops the following day   A MAN confronted by online paed*phile hunters was found dead on a motorway, an inquest heard. Adrian Smith, 48, featured in a livestream by self-proclaimed “child protection service” groups on the evening of February 21. Avon and Somerset Police arrested the married man that night and released him from custody the following day. Avon Coroners’ Court heard Mr Smith’s body was discovered under a bridge between junction 20 and 21 of the M4 motorway at…

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Bangladesh: This is the first-ever sex offender public registry in Bangladesh

Source: thedailystar.net 3/9/25 A sex offender public registry has been launched in Bangladesh for the first time through the digital platform Shocheton.org. The initiative aims to increase awareness of sexual crimes and provide access to offender records. The platform allows individuals to report incidents of sexual offenses, offering an avenue for victims and witnesses to come forward while maintaining anonymity if preferred. A sex offender public registry is a database that records information about individuals convicted of sexual crimes. Such registries are used in several countries to track offenders, inform…

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Passport Applicants May Have To Affirm That They Are ‘Not Required To Register’ As Sex Offenders

Source: reason.com 3/14/25 The proposed State Department policy would add to the irrational burdens that registrants face. Under a proposed State Department policy, U.S. passport applicants would have to affirm that they are “not required to register” as sex offenders. If they are “required to register,” they would have to submit a “supplementary explanatory statement under oath.” The State Department says that change, which it announced in a Federal Register notice seeking public comment last month, is “in accordance with” the International Megan’s Law (IML), which requires “unique passport identifiers” for “covered sex offenders.” Although that 2016 law…

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Ireland wants a public sex offenses registry because “nobody wants to see a convicted sex offender in their community”

Source: limerickvoice.com 3/10/25 Newly elected Limerick TD Conor Sheehan has welcomed the opportunity to further explore proposals to introduce a register for those convicted of serious sexual assault or domestic violence. However, the Labour TD has warned that Ireland needs a justice system that doesn’t encourage vigilantism.  TD Sheehan supports discussion on the sex offender register: Reacting to proposals by Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan to establish a register of those convicted of rape, serious sexual assault, or domestic violence which would be available to the public, Deputy Sheehan said: “It’s an idea…

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South Africa: Public registry fight – Delayed publication of sex offenders register allows thorough legislation review

Source: ewn.co.za 3/4/25 Last week, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi paused the publishing due to legal concerns.   JOHANNESBURG – The Information Regulator believes a move to delay the publication of the sex offenders register is a positive step, citing it allows a thorough review of its alignment with Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) requirements.   Last week, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi paused the publishing due to legal concerns.   The Information Regulator has backed the decision, saying publishing the list must…

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Convicted sex offender may renounce US citizenship, be deported to Philippines

Source: postguam.com 2/26/25 A man facing 90 years in prison for sex crimes is set to renounce his United States citizenship. Two weeks ago, Dwayne _____  appeared in the Superior Court of Guam to be sentenced for criminal sexual conduct charges. However, at the Feb. 14 hearing, Judge John Terlaje learned there were discussions on the possibility of Dwayne being deported. Assistant Attorney General Christine Tenorio further explained during that hearing that Dwayne , a dual citizen, would need to renounce his United States citizenship for him to be deported,…

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Influencer Tate brothers, who face human trafficking charges in Romania, arrive in the US

Source: apnews.com 2/27/25 FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Influencer brothers Andrew and Tristan Tate, who are charged with human trafficking in Romania, arrived Thursday in the U.S. after authorities lifted travel restrictions on the siblings, who have millions of online followers. The brothers landed in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, around midday. The Tates — who are dual U.S.-British citizens — were arrested in late 2022 and formally indicted last year on charges they participated in a criminal ring that lured women to Romania, where they were sexually exploited. Andrew Tate was also charged with rape. They…

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South Africa: Justice minister’s decision to publicise list of convicted sexual offenders welcomed

Source: timeslive.co.za 2/3/25 Justice and constitutional development minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has announced plans to make public the list of convicted sexual offenders and gender-based violence (GBV) perpetrators by the end of February. Kubayi made the announcement last week in a move to combat femicide. “As I got into the portfolio, one of the issues reported was the need for the department to release the register, to make it public, of those who have been sentenced and convicted of GBV to protect our children. I have agreed we will release this.…

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International Travel 2025

This post is intended as a place for discussions about International Travel ONLY. We added a new post for this year in order to keep the discussion manageable.  For more information and previous discussions on the topic, please see the pages in the International Travel menu named International Travel [year number]  Click here for the latest International Travel Information and Resources Scroll down this page to make a comment in the form      

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Philippines: Valenzuela City greenlights sex offender registration

Source: tribune.net.ph 12/14/24 The local government of Valenzuela City announced on Thursday that it has become the first city in the Philippines to enact an ordinance creating a database for convicted sex offenders. Councilor Walter Magnum dela Cruz, who authored the ordinance, was inspired by a case involving an elementary school teacher who continued to teach despite being convicted for child exploitation. “The principal said they didn’t have ‘official communication’ about the conviction,” Dela Cruz said, expressing frustration over the lack of information sharing. Ordinance 1235 aims to address this…

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Korea: ‘Squid Game 2’ sparks outrage over casting convicted sex offender

Source: jang.com.pk 11/3/24 The most awaited trailer of Netflix’s Squid Game 2 has unveiled on November 1, which featured some old and new characters, trying to navigate the chaotic and lethal game. Although, the trailer fueled exciting among fans, it also sparked outrage due to the inclusion of veteran actor Song Young-chang, who was convicted of underage prostitution in 2000. … Many major Korean broadcast channels banned him but Song continued to work in the entertainment industry, appearing in various K-Dramas and movies in supporting roles Read the full article  

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Dutch rapist Steven van de Velde’s partner issues staunch defence of Olympic selection

Source: yahoo.com 7/23/24 The playing partner of Steven van de Velde, the Dutch Olympian permitted to compete in beach volleyball at the Paris Games despite raping a 12-year-old British girl, has described him as being “like a second father to me”. Van de Velde refused to answer questions upon arrival in Paris where he was confronted by a Daily Mail journalist. Matthew Immers, the other half of the Netherlands pair, has mounted a staunch defence of his team-mate. “I feel comfortable with him, we take good care of each other,”…

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Some registrants will be prevented from traveling in Europe’s Schengen countries

Source: etias.org [Beginning first half of 2025] Criminal records can prevent you from being allowed to travel to the Schengen Zone. Any travellers applying for ETIAS for a short stay in Europe are likely to have their ETIAS application declined if they have committed a serious crime. Applications from people with minor offences will usually be approved for an ETIAS and granted entry to the 26 ETIAS countries. Any of the following serious criminal offences in the last ten years will need to be reviewed and likely to be declined:…

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