Dear Editor,

I drive past the United States Embassy almost daily and note the shameful manner in which the embassy treats those applying for visas.

But the US Embassy is not the only guilty one.
In fact, you are forced to cross the busy Trafalgar Road to get to the British High Commission without even a pedestrian crossing. Like the US Embassy, they provide no parking. The Canadian High Commission subjects you to an almost similar fate - inadequate parking and no pedestrian crossing.

To reach both the Canadian and British High Commissions, you are forced to negotiate the crossing on busy main streets with two-way traffic - a near impossible feat.

Let us acknowledge that most, if not all the embassies, are charging fees for the processing of visa applications and as such should provide basic amenities in exchange for these fees.

It is indeed astonishing that the embassies are allowed to get away without providing any of the basic amenities like shelter from the sun and rain for applicants, when other organisations or bodies must provide such amenities, once a fee is charged.

Even if the service was gratis one would have thought that respect for fellow human beings would dictate that you would extend the same respect to us that you would show to your own citizens.

Is it that these embassies have no regard for Jamaicans whom they perceive as potential illegal immigrants?
The acts of humiliation that applicants are forced to endure, if they require a visa, certainly belittle us as a people.

I suggest that the minister of foreign affairs intervene and dictate the standards by which citizens are to be treated on our own home ground by embassies.

If this is the disregard that is displayed here in our own country, can you imagine the level of disrespect that will prevail when you land on their territory?

Let me suggest that it should be compulsory that all foreign embassies that are charging a fee begin by providing the following:

. Suitable shelter from the elements

. Ample parking

. Hassle-free service like a drop-off box for those simply wishing to renew a visa.

The applicants upon notification of approval can then attend to collect the visa and be fingerprinted at the same time.
We cannot be treated like goats in a pasture with the sun and rain beating down upon us when some of us even spend our money to be tourists in the countries the embassies represent.

Let us hope that these "civilised societies" will respond with civility and extend the basic respect and regard for visa applicants.

Faye E Jacobs
Faye_jacobs22@msn.com

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