STATELESSNESS IN SOUTHERN AFRICA Bronwen Manby Nationality and statelessness .................................................................................................................... 1 The right to a nationality in international and African law ..................................................................... 1 Prohibition of discrimination................................................................................................................... 2 Naturalisation of refugees and stateless persons ..................................................................................... 3 African Commission jurisprudence ......................................................................................................... 3 The principles of citizenship law............................................................................................................. 5 The causes of statelessness in southern Africa ........................................................................................ 5 The historical context of migration and discrimination........................................................................... 5 Pre-independence ................................................................................................................................ 5 Post-independence............................................................................................................................... 6 Racial and ethnic discrimination ............................................................................................................. 7 Gender discrimination and discrimination based on marital status of parents ........................................ 8 Contemporary cross-border movements of refugees and migrants ......................................................... 9 Proof of nationality and birth registration ............................................................................................. 11 Comparative analysis of nationality legislation .................................................................................... 14 The right to a nationality for children born in the country .................................................................... 14 Jus soli, double jus soli and birth + residence .................................................................................. 14 Children of citizens ............................................................................................................................ 15 Children of stateless parents or who would otherwise be stateless................................................... 15 Foundlings/ children of unknown parents ......................................................................................... 16 Adopted children ............................................................................................................................... 16 Children born outside the country ......................................................................................................... 17 Right to pass citizenship to a spouse ..................................................................................................... 19 Acquisition of citizenship by naturalisation or registration................................................................... 20 Loss, deprivation and renunciation of citizenship ................................................................................. 24 Loss and deprivation of citizenship from birth .................................................................................. 24 Loss and deprivation of citizenship by naturalisation ....................................................................... 25 Protection against statelessness ........................................................................................................ 25 Renunciation of citizenship................................................................................................................ 26 Due process in administrative decisions to recognise and revoke nationality....................................... 27 Dual nationality ..................................................................................................................................... 29 Recommendations ................................................................................................................................... 32 International treaties .............................................................................................................................. 32 Law reform ............................................................................................................................................ 32 Birth registration and identity documentation ....................................................................................... 32 Note on sources ........................................................................................................................................ 33