The question of who became Algerian on independence was particularly controversial, by comparison with other former colonies of France, thanks to the very large population of French origin that had been living in the country. The 1963 nationality code gave French-born persons resident in Algeria were given the right to naturalise, providing they renounced their French nationality; however, the vast majority chose to leave. In relation to those born after independence, the law included a limited double jus soli provision; but with a presumption in favour of those of Muslim religion.
Nationality in Algeria today is governed by the 1970 Code de la Nationalité as modified in 2005 to remove gender discrimination.
The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child has expressed concern that, despite the removal of gender discrimination in the law, children of foreign fathers are sometimes required to obtain permission of a family judge to transmit nationality to children. The committee regretted that birth registration systems in Algeria were not equally accessible to all parents in the territory, and in particular that there are deficiencies in the system of birth registration for children born out of wedlock, and refugee and stateless children.
Extracts relevant to Africa: Action 1: Resolve existing major situations of statelessness In February 2024, in Kenya, UNHCR is reviewed and provided technical feedback on a proposed amendment of the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act, aiming to establish a registration […]
Par Lakhdar Belaid La question des binationaux revient dans le débat politique. Originaire du Valenciennois, l’historien Nedjib Sidi Moussa rappelle que l’Algérie les exclut déjà de postes stratégiques. Et il est impossible, pour une personne née algérienne de renoncer à […]
Selected extracts relevant to Africa: Highlights The Republic of Congo officially joined the 1954 and 1961 Statelessness Conventions, fulfilling a commitment made at the 2019 High-Level Segment on Statelessness. Sao Tome and Principe’s President signed a decree for the country’s […]
By Emmanuel K Dogbevi Applying for and getting a travel document such as a passport in most African countries can be a traumatic experience for most citizens. Despite advances in technology, which normally should improve service delivery in particular for […]
Extracts relevant to Africa: Implementation of the Global Action Plan Action 1: Resolve existing major situations of statelessness On 12 December, during Kenya’s 59th Jamhuri Day (Independence day) celebrations, President Dr. William Ruto announced that the Government will “initiate modalities […]
Extracts relevant to Africa: Top events and news • 15 civil society and legal aid organizations established the Eastern Africa Nationality Network. • Three pledges from the 2019 High Level Segment on Statelessness were fully or partially implemented in Georgia, […]
By Delphine Perrin (Aix Marseille University) Since the turn of the millennium, citizenship deprivation, which had previously seemed to be falling into abeyance, has experienced a remarkable resurgence in Western countries, especially in relation to the threats posed by terrorism […]
Extracts relevant to Africa: Mobilizing governments and civil society On 14 February, in Kenya, the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) in collaboration with Haki Centre Organization, Kwale Human Rights Network and UNHCR, organized a meeting in Kwale County, between Members […]
Le projet prévoyait de déchoir toute personne commettant à l’étranger des actes portant « de graves préjudices aux intérêts de l’Etat ». Le Monde avec AFP Le texte avait provoqué la colère et la stupéfaction chez les Algériens vivant à […]
Par Nadia Henni-Moulaï Une disposition de loi, annoncée le 3 mars par le Garde des sceaux Belkacem Zeghmati propose de déchoir de leur nationalité les Algériens de l’étranger mettant en péril « les intérêts de l’État ». Le constitutionnaliste Massensen […]
Le ministre de la justice souhaiterait déchoir de la nationalité tout citoyen qui, depuis l’étranger, « porte préjudice aux intérêts de l’État ». Par Mustapha Kessous et Madjid Zerrouky Colère et stupéfaction. Parmi les Algériens vivant à l’étranger, l’émoi provoqué […]
The government in Algeria is looking at a controversial law which could, if passed, be used to strip citizenship from opposition figures in exile. The move has been proposed by Minister of Justice Belkacem Zeghmati because, he believes, political opponents […]