CRC Concluding Observations: Egypt, 2011
Published: 15/Jul/2011
Source: UN Committee on the Rights of the Child
CRC/C/EGY/CO/3-4
Consideration of reports submitted by States parties under article 44 of the Convention
Concluding observations: Egypt
Birth registration
42. The Committee welcomes that the Child Law (2008) gives both parents the right to register the birth of a child or to ask for a birth certificate and that the universal right to birth registration also includes children born out of wedlock. It further notes with appreciation information provided by the delegation that line ministries have committed to ensure birth registration to all children with a view to closing the remaining gap of children in the State party still lacking birth certificates (1-4 per cent). Nevertheless, the Committee is deeply concerned that the rates of birth registration are not yet uniform throughout the State party, with remaining gaps in Upper Egypt, and that children born in the State party of migrant workers (CMW/C/EGY/CO/1, para. 34), children in street situations and children born out of wedlock continue to face difficulties in obtaining birth certificates due to social stigma. It is also concerned that registration is not yet de facto free of charge since obtaining a certificate requires a stamp.
43. In light of article 7 of the Convention, the Committee urges the State party to ensure free and compulsory birth registration to all children born in the State party as guaranteed by law, paying particular attention to children in remote and deprived regions, including Upper Egypt, children of migrant workers, children in street situations and children born out of wedlock. The Committee recommends that the State party abolish birth registration fees.
Name and nationality
44. The Committee commends the State party for adopting legislation granting equality between Egyptian men and women in passing the nationality to their children. While welcoming the joint decree by the Ministries of Interior and Foreign Affairs on 2 May 2011 allowing Egyptian women married to Palestinian men to pass on their nationality to their children, the Committee is concerned that this provision has not yet been fully incorporated into domestic law. It further regrets that Egypt has not signed or ratified the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons and the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness.
45. The Committee recommends that the State party ensure that the decree of 2 May 2011 is fully incorporated into national law, including by amending Act No. 154 of 2004 to the effect that it explicitly grants all children born to Egyptian mothers or fathers the nationality of the State party, irrespectively of the nationality and origin of either parent. It calls upon the State party to ratify the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons and the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness.
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