CRC Concluding Observations: Central African Republic, 2000

Published: 18/Oct/2000
Source: UN Committee on the Rights of the Child

CRC/C/15/Add.138

Right to a name and nationality

36. The Committee is concerned at the low levels of birth registration in the State party and at reports indicating that there are financial charges for this service.

37. In light of article 7 of the Convention, the Committee recommends that the State party make every effort to ensure the birth registration of all children, particularly in rural areas, for example via the use of mobile offices, and to ensure that birth registration services are free.

38. The Committee is concerned at violations of the right to a nationality for children whose birth has not been registered or for children born in the State party and whose parents are not nationals of the State party. The Committee joins the State party in noting that while children can acquire nationality from age 12, parents who are non-nationals have much greater difficulty in acquiring nationality.

39. The Committee recommends that the State party examine concerns relating to the access of children to a nationality and make every effort to improve respect for this right. The Committee also recommends that the State party give attention to the situation of children whose parents are unable to claim the State party’s nationality.

File: UN OHCHR website

Themes: Acquisition of nationality, Acquisition by children, International standards, Identity Documents, Birth Registration
Regions: Central Africa, Central African Republic
Year: 2000