A/RES/63/188
United Nations
Distr.: General
17 March 2009
General Assembly
Sixty-third session
Agenda item 64 (b)
Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 18 December 2008
[on the report of the Third Committee (A/63/430/Add.2)]
63/188. Respect for the right to universal freedom of travel and
the vital importance of family reunification
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolution 61/162 of 19 December 2006,
Reaffirming that all human rights and fundamental freedoms are universal,
indivisible, interdependent and interrelated,
Recalling the provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1 as
well as article 12 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, 2
0F
1F
Stressing that, as stated in the Programme of Action of the International
Conference on Population and Development, 3 family reunification of documented
migrants is an important factor in international migration and that remittances by
documented migrants to their countries of origin often constitute a very important
source of foreign exchange and are instrumental in improving the well-being of
relatives left behind,
2F
Noting with great concern that, while some positive developments have
occurred during the past few years in the accomplishment of the objectives
highlighted in previous resolutions adopted by the General Assembly on this
matter, 4 in particular relating to facilitating the flow of remittances across
international borders to help families, in certain cases it has been reported that
measures have been adopted that increased the restrictions imposed on documented
migrants in relation to family reunification and the possibility of sending
remittances to their relatives in the country of origin,
3F
Recalling that the family is the basic unit of society and, as such, should be
strengthened, and that it is entitled to receive comprehensive protection and support,
Once again calls upon all States to guarantee the universally recognized
1.
freedom of travel to all foreign nationals legally residing in their territory;
_______________
1
Resolution 217 A (III).
See resolution 2200 A (XXI), annex.
3
Report of the International Conference on Population and Development, Cairo, 5–13 September 1994
(United Nations publication, Sales No. E.95.XIII.18), chap. I, resolution 1, annex.
4
Resolutions 57/227, 59/203 and 61/162.
2
08-48207