MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the eradication of statelessness in Sub-Saharan Africa

B9‑0228/2019

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on the eradication of statelessness in Sub-Saharan Africa

The European Parliament,

– having regard to the 2014 Abidjan Declaration on the eradication of statelessness, adopted by the Economic Community of West African States, and the 2017 Banjul Plan of Action,

– having regard to Rule 143 of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas the eradication of statelessness falls within the scope of the 1966 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child and Sustainable Development Goal 16;

B. whereas shortcomings in birth registration are one of the main causes of statelessness, and whereas in Chad, Ethiopia and Zambia, fewer than 10% of children under the age of five have had their births registered, especially in rural areas[1];

C. whereas the lack of birth registration is a major barrier to access to education and to health and basic services, and complicates the repatriation of migrants;

1. Is concerned that support for the establishment and security of civil registries in Sub-Saharan Africa is not being prioritised sufficiently under the European Agenda on Migration and the Emergency Trust Fund for Africa, and calls on the European Commission to promote further action on this issue.