The presentation was made on a Draft Protocol to the African Charter on Human and
Peoples Rights particularly on the right to nationality and the eradication of
statelessness which aims to ensure that every African’s dignity is protected.
His presentation referenced the Draft Protocol to the African Charter on Human and
Peoples Rights particularly on the right to nationality and the eradication of
statelessness which aims to ensure that every African’s dignity is protected. He
encouraged members to campaign for the ratification and domestication of this
protocol in their countries.
He further explained that loss and deprivation of nationality are two different
processes that lead to the same results, namely that the individual concerned is no
longer considered a national by the state. While loss of nationality is an automatic
procedure that requires no intervention by the state, deprivation of nationality is
always an administrative or judicial measure taken in compliance with national law to
with draw the nationality of an individual.
He pointed out that there are states that do not withdraw a persons nationality
against his or her will. In some states its possible for an individual to lose citizenship.
The reasons for taking away that citizenship vary from one country to another and
may entail circumstances where the citizen participated in acts that are deemed
injurious to the state.
5.0.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Members States should adopt the Protocol of the African Charter on Human
and People’s Rights on the Right to Nationality.
2. African States should include a provision in their national legislation stating
that all individuals have a right to nationality.
3. Nomadic individuals should be granted nationality in at least one of the
countries in which they operate.
4. Member States should provide gender equitable laws which allow females to
transfer their nationality to their spouses and their children.
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