Kosovo (S/RES/1244(1999))
Operational Context
While Kosovo (S/RES/1244(1999)) is not a UN Member and is unable to become a party to international treaties, it has nonetheless incorporated safeguards against statelessness, deriving from the two international statelessness conventions. Authorities undertook efforts in 2015 and 2016 to identify the number of unregistered persons potentially at risk of statelessness. They found that 2.5 percent (618 persons) from the Roma, Ashkali an Egyptian communities were particularly vulnerable, 65 percent of whom were children.
Providing evidence to access identity documentation is the primary challenge in Kosovo (S/RES/1244(1999)). Many applicants were never registered at birth; some possess documents issued by dislocated Kosovar registries in Serbia after June 1999 that are not accepted by Kosovar institutions; some individuals were registered but have no Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (pre-1999) documentation that would serve as proof of their place of birth or parentage. The prevalence of home births makes it difficult to document and register the birth of children. Early and informal marriages are common. Limited awareness among vulnerable communities regarding the importance of registration and their inability to cover administrative fees exacerbate the risks of statelessness.
Strategy Objectives
1. Promoting law reform, and its implementation, to ensure safeguards in nationality laws to prevent statelessness amongst children.
Goal: Law and policy developed or strengthened. Improved implementation of current legislation.
2. Improving birth registration to prevent statelessness.
Goal: By mid-2018, civil registry offices have strengthened their capacity to reach and register the birth of marginalized children.
3. Improving the protection of stateless children in key areas (e.g. access to education and healthcare).
Goal: By mid-2018, progress on birth registration rate improves the access of children to health and education services, including their right to identity and nationality.