[triceratops]

For it to be true there would have to be evidence that it's default disallowed. Or that most people can't get passports at all, no matter what.

[spwa4]

No country locks of passports 100%. And, look, you asked for a source, the hrw article provides a source.

[triceratops]

Every country has laws about who can get passports. In countries without proper rule of law this is often arbitrary. Does that mean all those countries have made emigration illegal?

[spwa4]

If the law also says you can't leave without passports, like Chinese law, then yes, obviously.

[triceratops]

> If the law also says you can't leave without passports, like Chinese law,

Other countries don't let you in without a passport. Even in the absence of a Chinese law, an airline would deny you boarding if you didn't have a passport.