Welcome to the United Nations 
OHCHR 
Press releases
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE DISCUSSES DRAFT GENERAL COMMENT ON THE RIGHT TO LIBERTY OF MOVEMENT
16 July 1998
Share
HR/CT/98/11
16 July 1998
The Committee on Human Rights this afternoon discussed a draft General Comment on the right to liberty of movement and freedom to choose one's residence.
The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, under its article 12, states that everyone lawfully within the territory of a State should, within the territory, have the right to liberty of movement and should be free to leave any country.
The purpose of General Comments is to assist States parties in fulfilling their reporting obligations in order to promote their further implementation of the Covenant. They also draw attention to insufficiencies disclosed by the large number of reports and suggest improvements in the reporting procedure.
According to the Committee, the General Comments are also intended to stimulate the activities of States parties and international organizations in the promotion and protection of human rights. These comments should also be of interest to other States, especially those preparing to become parties to the Covenant. The General Comments thus strengthen the cooperation of all States in the universal promotion and protection of human rights.
The Human Rights Committee has periodically released General Comments on issues related to the Covenant since 1981. The 53-article Covenant entered into force in 1976 and protects such rights as the right to self-determination; the liberty of movement; to life, liberty and security of person; to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; and to equal treatment before law. The Covenant also prohibits arbitrary detention, torture, slavery and forced labour, war propaganda, and advocacy of racial or religious hatred.
The draft General Comment was prepared for the Committee by one of its members. The Committee will continue its debate on the draft during its three-week session.
When the Committee reconvenes at 10 a.m. on Friday, 17 July, it will start its consideration of a report presented by the Government of Italy on the situation of civil and political rights in that country.
16 July 1998
The Committee on Human Rights this afternoon discussed a draft General Comment on the right to liberty of movement and freedom to choose one's residence.
The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, under its article 12, states that everyone lawfully within the territory of a State should, within the territory, have the right to liberty of movement and should be free to leave any country.
The purpose of General Comments is to assist States parties in fulfilling their reporting obligations in order to promote their further implementation of the Covenant. They also draw attention to insufficiencies disclosed by the large number of reports and suggest improvements in the reporting procedure.
According to the Committee, the General Comments are also intended to stimulate the activities of States parties and international organizations in the promotion and protection of human rights. These comments should also be of interest to other States, especially those preparing to become parties to the Covenant. The General Comments thus strengthen the cooperation of all States in the universal promotion and protection of human rights.
The Human Rights Committee has periodically released General Comments on issues related to the Covenant since 1981. The 53-article Covenant entered into force in 1976 and protects such rights as the right to self-determination; the liberty of movement; to life, liberty and security of person; to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; and to equal treatment before law. The Covenant also prohibits arbitrary detention, torture, slavery and forced labour, war propaganda, and advocacy of racial or religious hatred.
The draft General Comment was prepared for the Committee by one of its members. The Committee will continue its debate on the draft during its three-week session.
When the Committee reconvenes at 10 a.m. on Friday, 17 July, it will start its consideration of a report presented by the Government of Italy on the situation of civil and political rights in that country.