Article 26 1951 Convention Freedom of Movement = Liberté de Circulation

This chapter notes how Article 26 secured the right of refugees to choose their place of residence and to move freely within the territory of the State where they find themselves. Freedom of movement is vital in the sense that it is often a precondition to making use of other rights laid down in the 1951 Convention, such as the right to work and the free development of a person. However, Article 26 does not indicate when and for what purposes restrictions are justified. The provision places refugees on the same footing and equality of treatment as aliens. The chapter explains how the European Court is bound to apply the European Convention, which meant that States have to observe Article 26.