The African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, like the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, provides that every child shall be registered immediately after birth.
As noted by the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, in a General Comment providing comprehensive guidance on the obligations of states, “At a practical level, the greatest obstacle to the effective realization of the right to a nationality in Africa is the lack of functional and universal civil registration systems. In the absence of proof of the circumstances of a child’s birth – both the child’s parentage and place of birth – it is very difficult to ensure that the child obtains recognition of its nationality, whether that of his or her parents, or of the State where he or she is born.”
Rates of birth registration are very low in many sub-Saharan African states. The African Union, UN Economic Commission for Africa, and African Development Bank have collaborated with other international agencies on a major initiative to improve civil registration in Africa, the Africa Programme on Accelerated Improvement of Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (APAI-CRVS).
Author: Zekhethelo Cele LLM Candidate, Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria Chidimma Vanessa Adetshina’s nationality has sparked a significant debate on identity, belonging, and representation between South Africa and Nigeria. Allegedly born in South Africa to a Nigerian father […]
By NGALA KILLIAN CHIMTOM MAYOS, Cameroon (AP) — The morning sun filtered through the forest canopy, casting dappled light on this village in Cameroon. For the Baka Indigenous community, it was a timeless image. But a passing truck broke the […]
A new report by the United Nations University Centre for Policy Research (UNU-CPR) and the Freedom Fund reveals the links between lacking official documentation and modern slavery. Without legal identity, people struggle to access basic services and are often driven […]
By Lerato Mutsila ‘There are various pathways and provisions in the law that recognise that people should not be stateless, and we are failing to ensure that these people have papers,’ says Global Movement Against Statelessness’ Christy Chitengu. Christy Chitengu […]
By Tendai Makaripe VITALIS Palinje’s demeanour reflects a deep, unspoken psychological pain. Often burying his head in his hands and sighing heavily, he appears overwhelmed, staring blankly as if questioning his fate. Born to Malawian parents who fled to Zimbabwe […]
Strengthening the linkage of civil registration and vital statistics to legal identity systems through digitalization for enhanced inclusion Africa Civil Registration and Vital Statistics Day, which is celebrated annually, marks a pivotal moment for reflection, collaboration and action towards strengthening […]
Sikhumbuzo Moyo, smoyo@chronicle.co.zw THE majority of people without identity documents are victims of incompetence and corruption at the Civil Registry Department, a Parliamentary portfolio committee on Defence, Home Affairs, Security Service and War Veterans Affairs has heard. The committee, chaired […]
Residents of Bulawayo have appealed to the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage to ease the requirements for obtaining vital documents such as birth certificates and national identification cards. This would help address the challenges faced by stateless and […]
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 […]
The Archbishop of Johannesburg reiterates the Church’s commitment to responding to statelessness in the Southern Africa Region. By Sr Katleho Khang, SNJM In Southern Africa, many poor and marginalised children are exposed to statelessness due to a lack of birth […]
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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 […]