Nationality and Cases of Statelessness in the Middle East and North Africa Extracts relating to the right to a nationality in regional instruments relevant to MENA states32 Covenant on the Rights of the Child in Islam (2005), Article 7: A child shall, from birth, have the right to […] have his nationality determined. […] States Parties to the Covenant shall safeguard the elements of the child’s identity, including […] nationality […] in accordance with their domestic laws and shall make every effort to resolve the issue of statelessness for any child born on their territories or to any of their citizens outside their territory. The child of unknown descent or who is legally assimilated to this status shall have the right to […] nationality. Arab Charter on Human Rights (2004), Article 29: 1. Everyone has the right to nationality. No one shall be arbitrarily or unlawfully deprived of his nationality. 2. States parties shall take such measures as they deem appropriate, in accordance with their domestic laws on nationality, to allow a child to acquire the mother’s nationality, having due regard, in all cases, to the best interests of the child. 32 - See also the Resolution of the Asian African Legal Consultative Organisation on “Legal identity and statelessness”, 8 April 2006, at para 3: “Encourages the Member States to review nationality legislation with a view to reducing and avoiding statelessness, consistent with fundamental principles of international law”. 32