This policy brief examines the socioeconomic progress of the Shona community in Kenya since gaining citizenship in 2020-21. Previously stateless, the Shona faced barriers to formal employment, financial services, and social protection. Citizenship has enabled 86% of the community to […]
Eric Codjo Montcho Agbassa et Renaud Fiacre Avlessi COUNTRY REPORT RSC/GLOBALCIT-CR 2024/03 1. Introduction Le Dahomey d’alors, Bénin aujourd’hui, ancienne colonie de la France, n’avait pas une législation propre sur la nationalité ; avant la décolonisation, les ressortissants dahoméens étaient […]
By Julia Schweers Introduction Ghana’s citizenship laws were first defined with independence from British colonial rule in 1957. Its early citizenship laws established the so-called ‘Lancaster House’ model, which other African states later also used to determine membership at independence, […]
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 […]
10 août 2024. Sur les 164 millions d’enfants non enregistrés à travers le monde, plus de la moitié, soit environ 91 millions, vit en Afrique ; et environ 6 enfants sur 10, soit 116 millions, ne possèdent pas d’acte de naissance[i]. […]
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 […]
Three-country investigation shows digital IDs in Africa failing to deliver promised democratic and development boost, while making fortunes for tech vendors Some of the world’s poorest countries have been investing heavily in digital ID systems which it is claimed will […]
Executive Summary The position paper provides an in-depth analysis of the National ID System in Uganda, focusing on the National Security Identification System and the emerging New Generation National ID Project (Ndaga Muntu). The NSIS project, initiated to address security […]
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 […]
La Côte d’Ivoire s’est engagée publiquement dans la lutte contre l’apatridie depuis 2013, ce qui a valu au pays d’être reconnu comme un leader en Afrique dans ce domaine. Le HCR continue de soutenir le gouvernement de la Côte d’Ivoire […]
Introduction The concept of citizenship, a dynamic and multifaceted reality, has evolved significantly throughout history and across diverse cultures, societies, and ideologies. As articulated by Aristotle, the distinction between being a good person and a good citizen underscores the intricate […]
Nationality laws which do not grant women equality with men in conferring nationality on their children are a cause of statelessness and a concern for UNHCR.1 Since 2012, UNHCR has issued an annual background note on gender equality in provisions […]