Freedom of movement is a fundamental human right guaranteed under international human rights and refugee law to all persons lawfully within a State’s territory, including refugees, asylum‑seekers, stateless persons, and internally displaced persons (IDPs). This right includes the liberty to move freely within a country, choose one’s residence, leave any country—including one’s own—and return to one’s country. These freedoms are central to ensuring access to other rights such as work, education, food, housing, and family life, and are essential for achieving durable solutions. 

Restrictions on freedom of movement are permissible only when prescribed by law, necessary to protect legitimate aims such as national security or public order, proportionate, non‑discriminatory, and limited in duration. Detention represents the most severe form of restriction and must be used only as a measure of last resort. Derogations during public emergencies are allowed only under strict conditions and must never be discriminatory. 

Forcibly displaced and stateless persons often face barriers such as requirements to reside in designated areas, limits on travel outside camps, or difficulties obtaining travel documents needed to leave a country. International standards—particularly the 1951 Refugee Convention, 1954 Statelessness Convention, and Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement—affirm the right to move freely and prohibit arbitrary displacement. They also outline safeguards that must be followed when displacement occurs, including procedural protections and respect for individuals’ safety, dignity, and attachment to land. 

States must also guarantee access to effective remedies when freedom of movement is violated, ensuring equal protection without discrimination.