Committee on the Rights of the Child
75th session, 15 May 2017 – 2 June 2017
Analysis of the Committee’s recommendations on the right
to a nationality, statelessness and birth registration
The 75th session of the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) took place from 15 May to 2 June 2017. The
CRC issued concluding observations to Antigua and Barbuda, Bhutan, Cameroon, Lebanon, Mongolia, Qatar,
and Romania.
The Institute on Statelessness and Inclusion (ISI), in collaboration with partner organisations, made country
submissions and provided the Committee with additional information on Cameroon, Qatar and Lebanon. These
submissions highlighted issues relating to every child’s right to a nationality and birth registration, and the related
risk of statelessness.
This report provides an overview and analysis of the
recommendations on nationality, birth registration and
statelessness that were made by the Committee during the 75th
session. It also points out important issues that the Committee
did not address. The Concluding Observations can be accessed
via the OHCHR website.
13 recommendations were made on complying with the right to
birth registration and nationality. 8 on the rights to stateless
children. 12 recommendations were made on measures to
implement Convention rights.
Bhutan received most recommendations (12), followed by
Lebanon (9). Romania did not receive any recommendations.
Most recommendations relate to gender discrimination in
nationality laws (Qatar, Lebanon and Bhutan). Other forms of
discrimination that impose barriers in acquiring a nationality
(e.g. discrimination against children born out of wedlock,
discrimination against children with a disability), birth
registration and nationality, and the right to nationality for
otherwise stateless children were also addressed.
Most of the recommendations on implementing measures
related to acceding to the two UN Statelessness Conventions and
seeking technical assistance (from UNHCR and UNICEF) on the
implementation of the Conventions and achieving universal birth
registration.
Below, is an analysis of recommendations by country.
13 recommendations on right to
birth registration and nationality
8 recommendations on rights of
stateless children
12 recommendations on
implementing measures