MADRID, Dec 20 (IPS) – Perhaps demographers will consider designing a new classification system to separate themselves from the estimated global population of more than 8 billion people living without legal identity and thus deprived of the most basic rights to life. truth.
Considering that there are at least 150 million unregistered births, the number of 1 billion seems insufficient.
actually
The International Organization for Migration (IOM), a UN specialized agency, stated that “one in eight people worldwide have no legal status and cannot access services.”
In particular, the IOM said, “Nearly one billion people live without legal status and remain invisible to the state, limiting their access to services and mobility, forcing them to take longer, more dangerous and irregular routes.” Yes.
Taking these findings into account, IOM brought together government representatives from Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Central America for the Legal Identity and Rights-Based Returns Management conference at UN City in Copenhagen.
Held in late October, the conference brought together government officials from countries of origin and destination to foster cross-regional exchanges on legal identity as a key element in enabling safer and more regular migration.
they have no human rights
In response, Jens Godtfredsen, Ambassador for Immigration, Return and Re-entry at the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told the conference: “One billion people are currently unable to prove their legal identity, hindering their access to social services, taxes and voting.” , bank accounts and irregular migration driving.”
That is why it is important to adopt a whole-of-government approach to jointly discuss concrete solutions to migration issues, such as the global identity gap, the Danish government representative emphasized.
At this international meeting, the government recognized that the re-entry process for immigrants “is often hampered by obstacles that can be eliminated or reduced by strengthening national legal identity capabilities, consular support, and cooperation among relevant government agencies.” .
ongoing crisis
Despite these discussions, the grim reality continues. Rather, it is a continuous rise if we accept yet another dramatic fate for millions of babies and children who also ‘don’t exist’.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) December 10, 2024 report shows significant progress in addressing the problem of millions of babies going unregistered each year.
Over the past five years, nearly eight in ten children under five have successfully registered their birth.
But the report Starting Life Right: Global Levels and Trends in Birth Registration also highlights a troubling reality. 150 million children under 5 years of age are still unregistered. That is, it does not officially exist in the government system.
According to UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell, it is important to make “stronger efforts to ensure birth registration for every child, everywhere.”
Beyond Forms: Why Birth Registration Matters
Birth registration is more than a legal process. This is the gateway to rights and protection. It ensures the legal identity of children, prevents statelessness and facilitates access to essential services such as health, education and social protection.
“However, more than 50 million children whose births were registered still lack a birth certificate, a critical document to prove registration and secure nationality.”
Africa leads the gap
Latin America and the Caribbean, East and Southeast Asia, and Central and Southern Asia lead with less than 30% of unregistered births.
Lagged is a region in sub-Saharan Africa that is home to half of the world’s undocumented children.
Within this region, the disparities are stark. Southern Africa has an enrollment rate of 88%, while East and Central Africa has only 41%.
“The region’s rapid population growth will make the problem worse. If current trends continue, the number of unregistered children is expected to exceed 100 million by 2030.”
registration barriers
Families face numerous barriers to registration, UNICEF explains.
They often cite long distances and multiple visits to registration facilities, lack of awareness of procedures, and discrimination based on gender, ethnicity or religion. High costs cause recurring problems.
Statelessness and Refugees: Invisible Millions
In addition to all of the above, there are millions of stateless people who cannot flee anywhere as a result of ongoing armed conflict in some of the poorest countries, as is the case in the DR. Congo, Sudan, South Sudan, Burkina Faso, Chad, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Yemen, Haiti, Central America…
Not to mention Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon and Syria.
Let us not forget the millions of victims of climate holocaust who have been forcibly relocated across our borders. They probably know nothing, and such outcasts are not officially recognized by the state.
Are we still talking about human rights, democracy, and equality…?
© Interpress Service (2024) — All Rights ReservedOriginal source: Interpress Service
