Analysing the International Legal Framework on Nationality: An African and Asian Perspective
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25159/2522-3062/15372Keywords:
Nationality, colonial, statelessness, Asia, AfricaAbstract
This article examines the prevention of and protection against statelessness through analysis of case law and laws that have dealt with this matter both internationally and at a regional level, with specific reference to two continents (Africa and Asia). The analysis also includes the remedies that are available to individuals who are stateless as well as the enforcement thereof. Cognisance is given to statelessness being the state of not belonging to any country, or not being recognised as a national of any country. The article also analyses how colonialism contributed to people being stateless and how laws have changed beyond the colonial era. Emphasis is placed on the need for consensus between states on what measures should be considered when determining citizenship. The desktop, library research approach will be used in this research. Primary and secondary sources will be consulted. Case law, conventions, and statutes will be the main sources of law. The research will evaluate the differences between the selected jurisdictions’ nationality laws. The way that nationality rules have been applied in those jurisdictions will also be determined by consulting case law. Additionally, journal articles, opinion pieces, and other internet-based resources will be used as secondary sources for the research. These sources offer valuable insights into the concerns expressed by interested parties about nationality and the elements that each jurisdiction has considered and needs to incorporate into their legal framework.
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References
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Cases
African Institute for Human Rights and Development v Guinea (Communication No. 249/2002) [2004] ACHPR
Amnesty International v Zambia (Communication No. 212/98) [2000] ACHPR
Anudo Ochieng Anudo v United Republic of Tanzania Application No. 012/2015 Judgment 22 March 2018
Bhekindlela Thomas Ngwenya v The Deputy Prime Minister 1970-76 SLR (HC) 88 119
Bhekindlela Thomas Ngwenya v The Deputy Prime Minister and the Chief Immigration Officer 1970-76 SLR 123 (HC)
Director of Immigration and Others v Lekhoaba and Another (C of A (CIV) No.22/07) [2008] LSCA 4
Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa v Angola (Communication No. 292/2004) [2008] ACHPR
Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa and Open Society Justice Initiative on behalf of Children of Nubian Descent in Kenya v Kenya, African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (The Kenyan Nubian Minors decision)
Legal Resources Foundation v Zambia (Communication No. 211/98) [2001] ACHPR
Liechtenstein v Guatemala ICJ Reports 4 1955 (Nottebohm)
Modise v Botswana (Communication No. 97/93) [2000] ACHPR 25 para 91
The Nubian Community v Kenya (Communication No. 317/06) [2015] ACHPR
Unity Dow v Attorney-General 1991 BLR 233 (HC)
Van Zyl and Others v Government of the Republic of South Africa and Others [2008] 1 All SA 102 (SCA)
Legislation and Treaties
African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.
Births and Deaths Registration Act 2 of 1928 (Kenya).
Citizenship and Immigration Act 2011 of Kenya.
Citizenship of Zimbabwe Act Chapter 4:01.
Constitution of Ghana.
Constitution of Kenya 2010.
Constitution of the Kingdom of Swaziland Act 2005.
Constitution of Lesotho 1993.
Constitution of Namibia 1990.
Constitution of Mozambique.
Constitution of Swaziland 2005.
Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia 1994.
Constitution of the Republic of South Africa 1996.
Constitution of Zimbabwe 2013.
Convention on Certain Questions Relating to the Conflict of Nationality Laws, 1930.
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.
Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD).
Convention on the Nationality of Married Women.
Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons 1954.
Convention on the Rights of the Child.
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.
International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.
Gambia Nationality and Citizenship Act 1965.
Ghana Citizenship Act 2000.
Ghana Refugee Law 1992.
Mauritius Citizenship Act 1968.
Nigerian National Commission for Refugee Act of 1989.
Proclamation on Ethiopian Nationality No. 378 of 2003.
Rwanda Nationality Law 2003.
Security Laws Amendment Act, 2014 (Kenya).
Senegal Nationality Code 1961.
Sierra Leone Citizenship Act 1973.
Sierra Leone Citizenship Amendment Act No. 11 of 2006.
South Africa Citizenship Act 88 of 1995.
South African Citizenship Amendment Act 17 of 2010.
Sudanese Nationality Act 1994.
Sudanese Nationality Act (Amendment) 2011 and 2018.
Swaziland Citizenship Act 14 of 1992.
The Child Act 10 of 2008 (Southern Sudan).
Uganda Citizenship and Immigration Control Act 1999.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948.
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© Published by the Department of Public, Constitutional and International Law, University of South Africa and Unisa Press.
Accepted 2023-12-22
Published 2024-06-10
