Visa requirements
Collective expulsion
Denationalization
Mass denial of ID cards
Gender discrimination in citizenship rights
Border communities and indigenous peoples
Mass denial of ID cards
Identification cards are used in a number of different ways throughout Africa. In some countries it is essential to have one, while in others it is not so important and in some no such cards exist. The denial of these cards to certain groups - whether it is religious, ethnic, or some other difference – has become a serious problem in African countries where it is necessary to have them in order to access rights and services. In Egypt for example, all Egyptians, when reaching 16, must register for a national identification card which is essential in conducting basic transactions such as opening a bank account, getting a driver’s license, entering a university, getting job, and collecting a pension. In many other countries, voting is also limited to those with ID cards.
Denying certain groups these identification cards is often discriminatory, with governments attempting to restrict the citizenship of minorities. For example, Egypt requires a person to state his or her religious identity on ID cards and on all vital records, such as birth certificates. The Interior Ministry limits the choice to one of three religions in this process – Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. This practice, which is justified by officials because of its adherence to Sharia law, is understood to be directed at Egypt’s Baha’i population – a religious minority of monotheists who believe in the spiritual unity of all humanity and religion. Converts from Islam are also prevented from listing their true belief, even if they have adopted Christianity or Judaism. Some report being pressured or intimidated into registering as Muslim. In these cases believers of other religions must lie about their faith and face possible forgery charges, or refuse to register and be stripped of their basic citizenship rights.
In other countries, like Cote d’Ivoire, the denial of identification cards is more politically-based. The ruling party has, in the past, made it hard for those that they think will vote for the opposition to obtain cards. During the civil war, ID cards were often torn up to limit the rights of the opposition. In January 2009, the government of Burundi has deported hundreds of foreign nationals under the pretense that they are trying to curb crime. Government officials mainly checked the ID cards of people in the suburbs of Bujumbura. Burundians found without ID cards were fined 2,000 francs and sent back home while foreign nationals were immediately escorted to the border. Even those who have a residence permit and a refugee card – papers clearly allowing them to reside in Burundi – were deported, according to the Integrated Regional Information Networks. These actions show clear discrimination towards foreign nationals by stripping them of their rights.
More information can be found here:
New life for South Africa ID suicide family Mhlongo, BBC News, 27 November 2009.
Denial of Passport as Instrument of Political Victimisation, This Day,
12 October 2009
S Africa probes ID card suicide, BBC online, 31 August 2009.
Kenyan Nubians: standing up to statelessness, Forced Migration Review, April 2009.
Burundi: Deportations Not a Sign of Xenophia, IRIN, 4 February 2009.
Kenya: National Registration Processes Leave Minorities on the Edge of Statelessness, Refugees International, by Maureen Lynch and Katherine Southwick, 23 May 2008
Egypt: Allow Citizens to List Actual Religion on ID Cards, Human Rights Watch, 11 November 2007.
Cote d'Ivoire: Bid to Hand out ID Cards Ahead Key Vote Kicks Off, IRIN, 18 May 2006.