A/RES/59/203. Resolution of the United Nations General Assembly, 2004

• Resolution Number: A/RES/59/203
• Session: 59th
• Issuer: General Assembly of the United Nation

United Nations A/RES/59/203

General Assembly Distr.: General

23 March 2005

Fifty-ninth session

Agenda item 105 (b)

04-48844

Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 20 December 2004

[on the report of the Third Committee (A/59/503/Add.2)]

59/203. Respect for the right to universal freedom of travel and the

vital importance of family reunification

The General Assembly

,

Recalling

its resolution 57/227 of 18 December 2002,

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

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,

Noting

that while some positive developments occurred during the past two

years in the accomplishment of the objectives highlighted in resolution 57/227, in

particular the commitment made on 9 June 2004 at the summit meeting of the Group

of Eight, held at Sea Island, United States of America, to facilitate the flow of

remittances across international borders to help families, in certain cases it has been

reported that measures have been adopted that have 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,

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,

1.

Once again calls upon

all States to guarantee the universally recognized

freedom of travel to all foreign nationals legally residing in their territory;

_______________

1 Resolution 217 A (III).

2 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.