Drive to save kids from statelessness

HUMAN rights organisation Lawyers for Human Rights has launched a crowdfunding campaign for 50 children’s DNA tests or visa applications.

This is to combat a litany of issues that arise as a result of not having a birth certificate, including child trafficking.

According to Unicef South Africa about 150000 children are believed to be living in child-headed households, and there are an estimated 3.7 million orphans.

Close to half have lost their parents to Aids-related diseases and many more are living with sick and bedridden caregivers.

It says children without proper adult care are more likely to be abused and exploited.

Lawyers for Human Rights said DNA tests and visa applications could cost up to R2100 and were unaffordable for children who were orphaned or abandoned.

These children are vulnerable to trafficking, and an undocumented child cannot be adopted and integrated into a new family.

When a stateless child turns 18, they cannot study, work, open a bank account, marry, vote, claim UIF, register their own children or access any of their basic human rights, they said.

“LHR aims to identify these children, assess their citizenship claim and apply for the necessary documentation to reduce their risk of statelessness and allow them access to basic rights and services.

“Children not helped to obtain identity documents at a young age are unable to access services, education and health care and are liable to arrest and detention when older.

“Ensuring children are identified officially will ensure they avoid a lifetime of statelessness.

“Every child has the right to a name and a nationality from birth,” they said.

Unicef SA says many orphans and vulnerable children slip further into poverty once the family’s main breadwinner stops working or dies.

This was because losing a parent or caregiver often meant losing access to grants, education and health care.

“Many children do not have birth certificates and so are not eligible for social grants. Others are not even aware they are entitled to assistance.

“Most orphans are taken care of by extended families, many themselves under strain, especially those headed by elderly people and women,” Unicef said.

Donations can be made at www.globalgiving.org/projects/save-50-children-fromstatelessness-in-southafrica/ until June 29. If you donate on June 20, Global Giving will match your donation. – Mercury Correspondent