Middle East Eye correspondent Mohammed Amin was denied a UK visa to attend the One World Media Awards, where he was nominated for Journalist of the Year for his reporting from Sudan. The Home Office cited concerns about his genuine intent and likelihood of departure.
The denial of a visa to a journalist reporting on a major humanitarian crisis highlights the challenges faced by those seeking to bring attention to overlooked conflicts and raises questions about the UK's commitment to press freedom and its immigration policies for individuals from conflict zones.
Middle East Eye correspondent Mohammed Amin has been denied a visa to travel to the UK for the One World Media Awards, where he was nominated for Journalist of the Year for his reporting from Sudan.
The Home Office informed Amin on Thursday that his application for an eight-day visa was refused, stating they believed he did not have a genuine reason for coming to the UK and would not leave the country afterward.
Amin, who is Sudanese and has visited Britain multiple times previously, including to receive other journalism awards, expressed anger and called the decision unreasonable. He highlighted a contradiction between British journalists covering the Sudan crisis and the UK government denying visas to those reporting on it.
Chinwe Kalu-Uma, interim director of One World Media, stated it was deeply disappointing that Amin, who reports from inside Sudan at great risk, was denied entry to receive recognition for his work. She noted his absence itself tells a story about the barriers Sudanese people face.
David Hearst, editor-in-chief of Middle East Eye, expressed disbelief that Britain would deny a visa to an award-winning Sudanese journalist, emphasizing Britain's responsibility to ensure the truth about Sudan emerges.
The Home Office's decision notice stated they were "not satisfied that you are genuinely seeking entry for a purpose that is permitted under the visitor route, or that you will leave the UK at the end of your visit." This was despite Amin being sponsored by Middle East Eye and having an invitation from the award organizers. The notice also stated there is no right of appeal or administrative review.
Applicants from Sudan have faced increased barriers and scrutiny for UK visas since the war in Sudan began in April 2023. Amin noted that with the British Embassy in Khartoum closed due to the war, he had to travel to Uganda for his visa interview. In November 2022, Amin received a visa without issue to attend the Rory Peck Awards in London, where he was honored for his reporting on massacres and the Sudanese coup.