By Laura Bingham<\/p>\n
The African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC) will meet for its 18th<\/sup> Session in Algiers next week (November 27 \u2013 December 1, 2011), providing an important occasion for states, civil society organizations, international human and children\u2019s rights organizations and other stakeholders to come together to deliberate on the status of children\u2019s rights in Africa.<\/p>\n The upcoming session follows shortly upon the publication of the Committee\u2019s first ever decision on a Communication filed under its complaints procedure, relating to discrimination in access to nationality for Nubian children in Kenya. The decision\u2019s significance extends well beyond Kenya, however, as it solidifies important principles about children\u2019s right to nationality and their entitlement to equal access to economic and social rights, as guaranteed by the African Children\u2019s Charter, which the Committee monitors. The Committee\u2019s dedication and commendable engagement on these issues deserves recognition from the human rights community in Africa and globally.<\/p>\n