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| Leonard Zulu |
TellZim Reporter
VUMBA— The United Nations High Commission
for Refugees (UNHCR) has hailed Zimbabwe for taking a bold stance to join a
global fight against Statelessness.
for Refugees (UNHCR) has hailed Zimbabwe for taking a bold stance to join a
global fight against Statelessness.
Article
1 (1) of the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons
defines a stateless person as ‘a person who is not considered as a national by
any State under the operation of its law’.
1 (1) of the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons
defines a stateless person as ‘a person who is not considered as a national by
any State under the operation of its law’.
Addressing
parliamentarians last Friday (November 8) on National and Statelessness
dialogue, UNHCR Deputy Director Regional Bureau for Southern Africa Leonard
Zulu said Zimbabwe’s commitment in fight against Statelessness was commendable.
parliamentarians last Friday (November 8) on National and Statelessness
dialogue, UNHCR Deputy Director Regional Bureau for Southern Africa Leonard
Zulu said Zimbabwe’s commitment in fight against Statelessness was commendable.
“Zimbabwe
has already repeatedly demonstrated its capacity and courage by embracing
essential reforms. I have no doubt that, as on many other issues, Zimbabwe will
demonstrate the leadership and vision necessary to make decisive progress of
ensuring that no one is at risk of Statelessness,” said Zulu.
has already repeatedly demonstrated its capacity and courage by embracing
essential reforms. I have no doubt that, as on many other issues, Zimbabwe will
demonstrate the leadership and vision necessary to make decisive progress of
ensuring that no one is at risk of Statelessness,” said Zulu.
In
2014, the United Nations (UN) with the approval of the General Assembly and the
UN Secretary
2014, the United Nations (UN) with the approval of the General Assembly and the
UN Secretary
General
launched a campaign to end Statelessness by 2024.
launched a campaign to end Statelessness by 2024.
According
to UN statistics, there are between 10-12 million people who are Stateless
around the world whilst a child is born Stateless every 10 minutes.
to UN statistics, there are between 10-12 million people who are Stateless
around the world whilst a child is born Stateless every 10 minutes.
Zulu
reiterated the UNHCR’s commitment to ensure that Zimbabwe succeeds in the
project adding that although it’s ambitious, it’s achievable.
reiterated the UNHCR’s commitment to ensure that Zimbabwe succeeds in the
project adding that although it’s ambitious, it’s achievable.
“I
can assure you that UNHCR will do its utmost to support you in this
indispensable effort. I am counting on the strong support of Zimbabwe and other
SADC member states in helping us to reach that goal of ending statelessness by
2024. There is strong momentum that makes this ambitious goal possible,” said
Zulu.
can assure you that UNHCR will do its utmost to support you in this
indispensable effort. I am counting on the strong support of Zimbabwe and other
SADC member states in helping us to reach that goal of ending statelessness by
2024. There is strong momentum that makes this ambitious goal possible,” said
Zulu.
He
said Zimbabwe has the opportunity to develop a comprehensive action plan to
prevent Statelessness in the country.
said Zimbabwe has the opportunity to develop a comprehensive action plan to
prevent Statelessness in the country.
“Such
a plan is necessary to realize Zimbabwe`s pledge made in October 2019 in Geneva
to contribute to ending Statelessness globally.
a plan is necessary to realize Zimbabwe`s pledge made in October 2019 in Geneva
to contribute to ending Statelessness globally.
“Ultimately,
the concept of ‘belonging’ goes beyond legal texts and identity documents. It requires
the political will to promote tolerance and acceptance of one another and
create a social and human space where all members of the society can be
recognized,” said Zulu.
the concept of ‘belonging’ goes beyond legal texts and identity documents. It requires
the political will to promote tolerance and acceptance of one another and
create a social and human space where all members of the society can be
recognized,” said Zulu.
He
said Statelessness is an essential issue for human and state security,
particularly in a region that is legitimately concerned about protection of its
citizens in face of rising security threats.
said Statelessness is an essential issue for human and state security,
particularly in a region that is legitimately concerned about protection of its
citizens in face of rising security threats.
“Perhaps
even more serious, depriving persons of a nationality constitutes for the
country a missed opportunity for development and prosperity.
even more serious, depriving persons of a nationality constitutes for the
country a missed opportunity for development and prosperity.
“Ensuring
that everyone can enjoy their right to a State, also allows a State to rely on
the potential and talents of hundreds of thousands of people who would
otherwise be marginalized and excluded,” said Zulu.
that everyone can enjoy their right to a State, also allows a State to rely on
the potential and talents of hundreds of thousands of people who would
otherwise be marginalized and excluded,” said Zulu.
Zulu
said UNHCR`s plan of action to end Statelessness is a central element of the ‘I
Belong Campaign’.
said UNHCR`s plan of action to end Statelessness is a central element of the ‘I
Belong Campaign’.
“The
first country in the world to have adopted a national action plan on
Statelessness was Benin. Across Africa, there is an increase awareness of the
importance of the right to nationality, with a growing number of adoption of
actions plans to end statelessness, nationality reforms, and increase of birth
registration rate.
first country in the world to have adopted a national action plan on
Statelessness was Benin. Across Africa, there is an increase awareness of the
importance of the right to nationality, with a growing number of adoption of
actions plans to end statelessness, nationality reforms, and increase of birth
registration rate.
“I
trust that soon, similar efforts will be effectively undertaken in Zimbabwe.
For my part, I assure you that UNHCR will do its utmost to support you in the
implementation of national action plan,” said Zulu.
trust that soon, similar efforts will be effectively undertaken in Zimbabwe.
For my part, I assure you that UNHCR will do its utmost to support you in the
implementation of national action plan,” said Zulu.
