Article 13 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that an individual has the right to move around and live in any country within the borders of the said State. Every citizen has the right to leave one’s country as well as to return to one’s country. The article highlights the freedom aspect, which an individual is entitled to. He or she can exercise his or her right while seeking a better opportunity, escaping from dangerous situations or being with his family and friends.
Sometimes, the right of movement freedom is tested in Pakistan. Political unrest, for example, or natural calamities like floods can confine government restriction on movement in affected areas. Perhaps the most significant example is 2014 when the military operation against militancy occurred in North Waziristan, where its residents had to leave their homes; that greatly hit their right of movement freedom. Most of the people dislocated faced difficulties while returning to their homes, an indication of the complexities.
Written by: Nabeela Mohiud-din