10. BASIC RIGHTS DENIED BY LACK OF IDENTITY DOCUMENTS This chapter examines the impact of statelessness on the rights to education, health and employment, all of which Zimbabwe is obliged under international and regional human rights law to respect, protect and fulfil.79 10.1 RIGHT TO EDUCATION The right to education is guaranteed under Article 13 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), Articles 28 and 29 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and Article 17 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR). Zimbabwe’s Constitution states: “the state must take all practical measures to promote …compulsory basic education for children; (b) higher and tertiary education.”80 Without the necessary identity documents, many stateless children are unable to access primary, secondary and tertiary education, contrary to Zimbabwe’s obligations to provide access to education to all children without discrimination. Children who do not have birth certificates continue to face major challenges. Thousands are prevented from entering the education system or are forced to drop out. This is particularly pronounced in Matabeleland where the drop-out rate is higher than in any other province in Zimbabwe. According to the 2019 Annual Education Statistics Profile, released in May 2020, Matabeleland South has a 59.72% completion rate for lower secondary school and Matabeleland North a 62.08% rate.81 This compares to Mashonaland East province which has the highest completion rate at 82.24%, while those in Manicaland and Masvingo provinces are 81.90% and 78.48% respectively.82 79 This includes but is not limited to the ICESCR, the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights 80 Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (NO. 20). (2013). 81 Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education Annual Education Statistics Profile 2017, www.mopse.gov.zw 82 Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education Annual Education Statistics Profile 2017, www.mopse.gov.zw WE ARE LIKE “STRAY ANIMALS” THOUSANDS LIVING ON THE MARGINS DUE TO STATELESSNESS IN ZIMBABWE Amnesty International 29