Southern African Nationality Network

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Republic of South Africa

Ratification for International Instruments

South Africa scores 9,5 out of 15,5 for ratification of international instruments relevant to the right to a nationality. South Africa’s score, high with regards to most human rights instruments, is brought down by the fact that it has not signed or ratified two of the most relevant international instruments -- the 1954 UN Convention on the Status of Stateless Persons and the 1961 UN Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness. Despite having pledged to sign both conventions in 2011, South Africa has not followed through on this pledge. In 2019 at the High-Level Segment on Statelessness in Geneva, South Africa did not use the opportunity to sign the conventions, nor to make additional pledges toward the eradication of statelessness in SADC.


The Kingdom of Eswatini

Ratification for International Instruments

The Kingdom of Eswatini scores 14 out of 15,5 having signed most of the relevant treaties. Eswatini loses a point for not having signed AU Free movement Protocol and for international law not having direct effect in the domestic law.


Zimbabwe

Ratification for International Instruments

Zimbabwe scores 12 out of 15,5 having signed most of the relevant treaties. It is not party to the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness. It could score an extra point if it signed the AU Protocol on Free Movement of persons.


United Republic of Tanzania

Ratification for International Instruments

Tanzania scores 10 out of 15,5 for ratification of international instruments relevant to the right to a nationality. Although Tanzania is party to almost all of the other, relevant treaties (except for the AU Protocol on Free Movement), it has not signed the two important UN conventions on statelessness.


Republic of Botswana

Ratification for International Instruments

The Republic of Botswana scores 7 out of 15,5 for the ratification of international instruments. It scores 2 points for being party to the 1951 Convention on the Status of Stateless Persons, but it has made reservations to this treaty and loses half its points in this matter. It further is not party to several important treaties related to nationality rights, such as the Maputo Protocol, the UN Convention on the rights of people with Disabilities, the AU Free Movement protocol, and the SADC Gender and Development Protocol. Lastly, it has made reservations to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.


Republic of Angola

Ratification for International Instruments

Angola’s score is 13.5 out of 15.5. This is the 2nd highest score of the countries assessed so far. Eswatini scores highest (14). The Republic of Angola is party to both the UN conventions related to statelessness and has not entered and reservations. With regards to relevant UN treaties, Angola is party to all and has not entered any reservations relating to nationality. Angola is party to all relevant African Union and SADC treaties, except the AU and SADC free movement protocols. International law has direct effect in Angola (0.5).


Madagascar

Ratification for International Instruments

Madagascar’s score is 8 out of 15.5. Madagascar is not party to either UN conventions related to statelessness. With regards to relevant UN treaties, Madagascar is party to all and has not entered any reservations relating to nationality. Angola is party to all relevant African Union and SADC treaties, except the AU and SADC free movement protocols. International law does not have direct effect in Madagascar.