Date of publication:

09/25/2026

Costa Rica

Do domestic laws and policies provide forcibly displaced and stateless persons who face violations of their right to freedom of movement and choice of residence the right of recourse to effective administrative or judicial remedies?

ANALYSIS

Assessment by population

Assessment by population
Refugees
Asylum-seekers
Analysis

In the event that asylum seekers or refugees are hindered in the effective enjoyment of their right to freedom of movement, it is possible to file an habeas corpus before the Sala Constitucional de la Corte Suprema de Justicia(Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice)  according to article 48 of the Costa Rican Constitution, which stipulates the following: 

"Every person has the right to the remedy of habeas corpus to guarantee their personal liberty and integrity, and to the remedy of amparo to maintain or reestablish the enjoyment of the other rights enshrined in this Constitution, as well as those of a fundamental nature established in the international instruments on human rights, applicable to the Republic. Both remedies shall be within the competence of the Chamber indicated in Article 10".

This appeal is available to refugees and asylum seekers the same way it applies to costa ricans. 

With regard to detention by court order, either as a conviction or as a precautionary measure, asylum seekers or refugees may file the appropriate appeals in light of the legal regulations applicable under the Código Procesal Penal (Code of Criminal Procedure). 

    LAW & POLICY

    Related provisions of domestic law or policy

    Political Constitution of the Republic of Costa Rica
    • Year: 1949
    • Type: Domestic law
    • Rights Category: Asylum, Education, Freedom of movement, Health, Housing, land & property, Liberty & security of person, Nationality, Integration & Public Affairs, Social protection, Work & Workplace rights, Family life, Documentation
    • Link to external source: https://www.refworld.org/legal/legislation/natlegbod/1949/es/39310

    Legal provision

    Article 48 - Amparo appeal and habeas corpus

    Toda persona tiene derecho al recurso de hábeas corpus para garantizar su libertad e integridad personales, y al recurso de amparo para mantener o restablecer el goce de los otros derechos consagrados en esta Constitución, así como de los de carácter fundamental establecidos en los instrumentos internacionales sobre derechos humanos, aplicables a la República. Ambos recursos serán de competencia de la Sala indicada en el artículo 10.