Marie Michael Library

Birth registration: right from the start

The child who is not registered at birth is denied the right to an official identity, a recognized name and a nationality. This report examines the situation of children who are denied a fundamental human right and who, in legal terms, do not exist. With no document to prove how old they are -- or even who they are -- they are likely to join millions facing discrimination and the lack of access to basic services such as health and education.