CRC Concluding Observations: Burkina Faso, 2010
Published: 9/Feb/2010
Source: UN Committee on the Rights of the Child
CRC/C/BFA/CO/3-4
Consideration of reports submitted by States parties under article 44 of the Convention
Concluding observations: Burkina Faso
Birth registration
34. The Committee, while noting significant efforts of the State party to increase birth registration, in particular the activities conducted in 2009, declared as Universal and Free Birth Registration Year, remains concerned that one third of children remain unregistered at birth, owing mainly to the geographical distance from registration services, the insufficient resources allocated to them and the cost of birth registration. The Committee is also concerned that children born outside the State party may not have birth certificates, or other substitute certificates, which may prevent their access to social services
35. The Committee urges the State party to strengthen its efforts to establish a national system of free birth registration which should be sustainable and available, including in the most remote areas of the State party, through the provision of decentralized registration offices with the necessary human, material and financial resources. The Committee also recommends the State party to strengthen its awareness-raising activities about birth registration. The Committee further urges the State party to ensure that refugee children are provided with a birth certificate and that unregistered children are not deprived of access to social services.
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