MEDIA ADVISORY

Launch of report: The Right to a Nationality in Africa

Dear Colleagues:

The African Union Commission, the African on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, will launch a study on The Right to a Nationality in Africa, highlighting challenges to Citizenship and statelessness in Africa, and proposing the urgent need for a Protocol on Citizenship in Africa. You are invited to the press conference and launching ceremony.

When:
Thursday, 29, January 2015

Times:
12h:00 Launching
13h:00 Press briefing

Where:
Small Conference Hall II, AUC New building
What:
Millions of people without citizenship in Africa are deprived of the right to vote, to cross borders, and to access state health or education services. The challenges of lack of citizenship rights generate conflict and undermine democracy in many countries in Africa. The report draws special focus on these challenges and indentifies key recommendations for adoption by African countries as a matter of urgency.
Speakers include:
• H.E. Mr. Alassane Ouattara, President of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire
• H.E. Mr. António Guterres, UN High Commissioner for Refugees
• H.E. Dr. Dlamini Zuma- Chairperson of the African Union Commission
• Mrs. Zainabo Sylvie Kayitesi - Chairperson of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights
• Mrs. Maya Sahli Fadel – Special Rapporteur on Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights
Who:
ACHPR- The African Charter established the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights. The Commission was inaugurated on 2 November 1987 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Commission’s Secretariat has subsequently been located in Banjul, The Gambia. In addition to performing any other tasks which may be entrusted to it by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, the Commission is officially charged with three major functions:

◦the protection of human and peoples' rights
◦the promotion of human and peoples' rights
◦the interpretation of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights

UNHCR- The United nations High Commission for Refugees is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country. It also has a mandate to help stateless people.

For more information please contact:
In Johannesburg, Jeggan Grey Johnson – Mobile+ 27 836 200578- email: jeggangj@osisa.org