1.3. The ACHPR Protocol on the Right to a Nationality 1.3.1 Context and Objectives The ACHPR Protocol on the Right to a Nationality[16], adopted by the AU on 18 February 2024, is a visionary response to the persistent challenge of statelessness across the continent. The Protocol represents a commitment by the AU to advancing legal recognition, inclusion, and social justice. It aligns with the AU’s Agenda 2063, which prioritises human rights, inclusive governance, and sustainable development. The objectives of the Protocol, as outlined in Article 2, are: The objectives of the Protocol, as outlined in Article 2, are: a) To promote, protect, and ensure respect for the right to a nationality in Africa, recognising nationality as a gateway to the realisation of other fundamental rights. b) To prevent and eradicate statelessness in Africa, addressing its root causes and providing robust legal safeguards and policy mechanisms to combat it. c) To establish general principles for the prevention of statelessness, the elimination of its risks, and its ultimate eradication across the continent d) To promote the aspirations of the African people for an African citizenship, reflecting the Pan-African ideal of unity and inclusion. 1.3.2 Content The ACHPR Protocol on the Right to a Nationality establishes a comprehensive legal framework to ensure everyone’s right to a nationality and to prevent arbitrary deprivation of nationality. Key provisions: 1. The Protocol affirms that everyone has a 2. The Protocol promotes and inter-State right to a nationality and to be protected from cooperation collaboration with the arbitrary denial or deprivation of nationality. international and regional agencies: States are urged to work individually and collectively to address References: Article 2 and Article 3 statelessness. The Protocol encourages the creation of mechanisms for inter-State cooperation and harmonisation of 3. The Protocol emphasises equal nationality rights for all: States must ensure nationality frameworks, including sharing that information and coordinating solutions for nationality laws, policies, and practices are free stateless persons. It also highlights the need from discrimination. It prohibits discrimination for based on race, ethnicity, sex, gender, language, international agencies that have mandates religion, political or other opinion, national or related to statelessness. collaboration with African and social origin, socioeconomic status, disability, birth or other statuses. References: Article 3(2)(c), Article 8(1), Article 19, and Article 23 References: Article 3(2), Article 4, and Article 15(4) [16]The full text of the Protocol is available at: [4] UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Expert Meeting - The Concept of Stateless Persons under International Law ("Prato Conclusions"), May 2010, https://www.refworld.org/reference/confdoc/unhcr/2010/en/76005. . 27