Freedom of movement in the light of the case law of the ECtHR: issues of applicability and identification of restrictions

Abstract

The article is devoted to the right to freedom of movement, which is guaranteed by Article 2 of the Protocol 4 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. It is noted that freedom of movement includes 3 aspects: freedom of movement, freedom to choose residence and the right to leave any e country freely, including one's own. The structure of Article 2 of Protocol No. 4 and its features in comparison with the structures of other articles of the Convention are described. It is emphasized that freedom of movement, while a fundamental freedom, is not absolute and may be restricted under the conditions set out in Article 2 of the Protocol. Emphasis is made on the differences between "restrictions" on freedom of movement and "interference" in the rights guaranteed by other articles of the Convention. In considering the applicability of Article 2 of Protocol No. 4 to the Convention on the basis of an analysis of the case law of the ECtHR, the issue of delimitation of the scope of Article 2 of Protocol No. 4 and other articles of the Convention, in particular Article 5 (right to liberty and security) and Article 8 (right to respect for private and family life) of the Convention is revealed. It is emphasized that the difference between deprivation of liberty under Article 5 § 1 of the Convention and restriction on freedom of movement under Article 2 of Protocol No. 4 is one of degree or intensity, and not one of nature or substance of the restriction.The interrelation between the Article 8 of the Convention and P4-2 are underlined while it emphasized that Article 8 should be construed as conferring a right to live in a particular location, thus freedom to choose one’s residence is not covered by its scope, but is at the heart of Article 2 § 1 of Protocol No. 4. Using a number of ECtHR judgments, it has been demonstrated that the legal relationship covered by Article 2 of Protocol No. 4 to the Convention may arise in cases pending before administrative, civil jurisdictions and criminal proceedings. Examples of specific judgements of the ECtHR demonstrate cases of "restrictions" on freedom of movement, which is of practical importance for the relevant application of this article in national jurisprudence. Key words: freedom of movement, Article of Protocol No. 4, ECtHR case-law, applicability, restriction, scope, freedom to choose his residence, right to leave any country.