National sovereignty
Cross-cutting theme in the Global Compact for Migration
The Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) is based on a set of cross-cutting and interdependent guiding principles. This page provides resources for the guiding principle of National Sovereignty:
“The Global Compact reaffirms the sovereign right of States to determine their national migration policy and their prerogative to govern migration within their jurisdiction, in conformity with international law. Within their sovereign jurisdiction, States may distinguish between regular and irregular migration status, including as they determine their legislative and policy measures for the implementation of the Global Compact, taking into account different national realities, policies, priorities and requirements for entry, residence and work, in accordance with international law” (GCM, 2018: para. 15)
National sovereignty in the text of the Global Compact
The guiding principle of national sovereignty is also mentioned in the following sections of the GCM: