The identity predicament: A story about statelessness and the fight for denied rights

How would you feel if you were denied access to basic government services because you lacked identification?

Frustrated, dejected, or angry? Probably all.

“Everyone has a right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law regardless of whether they are citizens or immigrants, students or tourists, workers or refugees, or any other group,” reads Article 6 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Around the world, many people lack identity cards, which means they are not recognised officially and hence cannot access crucial basic government services. Identity is a human right and therefore, it should be prioritised by every government to ensure equality. For this article, we will traverse what it takes for a member of a marginalised ethnic group in a "Third World" country without an ID card to be recognised.

Continue reading at GenderIT.org.

Region: 
Country: 
« Go back