The Right to Mobility

The Right to Mobility, as articulated in the Charter of Palermo (2015), is presented as a fundamental human right grounded in the principle that freedom of movement should not be restricted by birthplace, nationality, or immigration status. The Charter argues that mobility is an essential condition for human dignity and equality in an increasingly interconnected world.

The document calls for the recognition of international mobility as a fundamental human right, asserting that all people should have the ability to move across borders in search of safety, opportunity, and self-determination. It criticizes restrictive immigration systems—such as visa regimes, border militarization, and unequal mobility rights—that privilege citizens of certain states while denying movement to others.

Within this framework, the Charter proposes a rethinking of borders and citizenship, emphasizing that the right to move must be treated as a basic human freedom rather than a privilege granted selectively by states. It encourages institutions, particularly cities and local governments, to promote policies that respect human mobility and protect the rights and dignity of migrants regardless of their legal status.