Freedom of movement includes the ability to move and reside within one’s own country. Human rights norms recognize this as an important liberty, but governments interpret and apply it differently. This lesson examines the international standard, the United States’ approach, and examples from Sweden and China.
Article 13 of the UDHR states that everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state. This means that the principle covers both movement from place to place and the choice of where to live within a country.
All flashcards
What is internal freedom of movement?
The right to travel and reside within the borders of one’s own country.
What three aspects of interstate travel did the US Supreme Court identify in Saenz v. Roe?
The rights to enter and leave each state, to be treated equally as a visitor, and to be treated equally as a new resident.
What is a passport?
An official travel document generally used to establish a traveler’s identity and nationality.
What is a refugee?
A person outside their country of origin who requires international protection because of persecution, conflict, violence, or other serious disruption.
What is the open-borders debate about?
Whether people should be free to move around the world without ordinary immigration and emigration restrictions.
Quiz questions
What right to international movement does Article 13 of the UDHR recognize?Answer: The right to leave any country, including one’s own, and to return to one’s country.
Which case described three aspects of the US right to interstate travel?Answer: Saenz v. Roe (1999).
What is a visa?Answer: Official authorization that a foreign traveler may need to enter or stay in a country.
What does Article 14 of the UDHR recognize in relation to persecution?Answer: The right to seek and enjoy asylum in other countries, subject to stated exceptions.
What does the open-borders concept generally propose?Answer: Allowing people to move across borders without ordinary immigration and emigration restrictions.
Based on Introduction to Political Science by Mark Carl Rom, Masaki Hidaka, Rachel Bzostek Walker (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.