55.
The Committee reminds States parties that all the above actions derive from
international obligations in respect with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with
Disabilities (see Article 24 (3)). The Committee holds the view that their effective
implementation heavily depends on an effective and efficient universal birth
registration system that does not discriminate against children with disabilities.
(b) Parents with a disability
56. States parties should take special measures aimed at facilitating the registration
of children born to persons (parents) with disabilities. Specific attention should be
paid to children born to parents with mental or intellectual disabilities. States parties
may envisage using community leaders for the identification and immediate reporting
to competent authorities of any child born to a parent with mental or intellectual
disabilities. Further, best practice amongst State parties dictates that birth
registration information and materials be specially adapted for persons with visual or
hearing disabilities, to enable them to optimally participate in registration processes,
and that Registry staff be training in sign language and other forms of
communication with parents with disabilities seeking to register their children.
c) Birth registration and children born to refugees, internally
displaced persons or asylum seekers
57.
The Committee notes that refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs) and
asylum seekers are vulnerable persons and that their children should benefit from
the special measures of protection contained in the African Children‟s Charter. The
Committee believes that registration of the birth of refugee children, children born to
IDPs, internally displaced children or children who have been separated from their
parents or guardians due to persecution or armed conflict, and children born to
asylum seekers is one such special measure. As refugees, IDPs and asylum
seekers have been forced to leave their homes, often in a rush, they may have left
behind most of their belongings and personal identification documents, or the
documents may have been destroyed in the process. The Committee is of the view
that denying the right to birth registration to children belonging to that category is an
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