Freedom of Movement

Subject(s):

Diplomatic immunity — Diplomatic missions — Diplomatic relations — Right to liberty of movement

This chapter analyses Article 26 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations which tackles the freedom of movement granted to all members of the diplomatic mission. Article 26 states that the receiving State shall ensure to all members of the mission freedom of movement and travel in its territory while being subject to its respective laws and regulations concerning zones entry into which is prohibited or regulated for reasons of national security. The freedom to travel within the territory of the receiving State is an essential facility to enable diplomatic agents to exercise two of their most important functions—protection of the nationals of the sending State and reporting to their government on conditions and developments in the receiving State.