have been provided with fewer schools and a disproportionately lower share of available
resources in the sphere of education, as the de facto discriminatory system of resource
distribution in education has resulted in their educational needs being systematically
overlooked over an extended period of time.28 Their right to education has not been
effectively recognised and adequately provided for, even in the context of the resources
available for this fulfilment of this right.
66.
At this juncture, while not directly in contention in this Communication, the African
Committee would also like to highlight the relevance of Article 31 of the African Children’s
Charter to the issues at hand. Article 31 of the African Children’s Charter requires that every
child shall have responsibilities towards the family, society and the state, as well as other
legally recognised communities, subject to his age and ability and to other limitations as
may be contained in the Charter. Children of Nubian descent who have been born in Kenya
are subject to the requirement of their serving their national community by placing their
physical and intellectual abilities at the service of the nation, as well as preserving and
strengthening social and national solidarity and the independence and integrity of his
country. Although it cannot be suggested that the fulfilment of these duties is contingent
upon the of their status as nationals and their identity as children of Kenya, the fulfilment of
Article 31 responsibilities highlights the reciprocal nature of rights and responsibilities,
which reciprocity is not fulfilled when Article 6 rights are not respected by the State
concerned. The Committee wishes to emphasise that national solidarity and African unity
are best achieved in an environment which eschews discrimination and denial of rights.
67. The African Committee regards the violations discussed in the preceding paragraphs as
emblematic of the difficulties occasioned by the non-recognition of Kenyan nationality of
children of Nubian descent in the instant case. Other Charter rights which, seen together,
serve the child’s best interests can be adduced on which the present violation have a
bearing. The African Committee does not need to investigate these in further detail in the
light of the findings above.
68.
The Committee does not wish to fault governments that are labouring under
difficult circumstance to improve the lives of their people. The Government of Kenya has
ratified the African Children’s Charter earlier than many countries on the continent (25 July
2000), and more importantly, has made a number of significant progresses in implementing
the provisions of the Charter. However, it is worthy of note that the violation complained of
has persisted unchecked for more than half a century, thereby prejudicing not just the
children in respect of whom the complaint has been brought under this African Children’s
Charter, but indeed generations preceding them. The implications of the multi-generational
impact of the denial of right of nationality are manifest and of far wider effect than may at
first blush appear in the case. Systemic under-development of an entire community has
been alleged to be the result. Therefore, in addressing the consequences of the nonrecognition of the nationality of children of Nubian descent, actions which address the longterm effects of the past practice must be formulated. As is clearly stated in the African
Children’s Charter (see Article 11(2)(h); Article 14(2)(h); Article 20(2)), such measures
must be formulated with the participation of the impacted community.
28
This can also be said to affect their right to development under the African Charter on Human’s and Peoples’
rights, to which the republic of Kenya is also a states party. See, too the right to survival and development
provided for on article 6 of the UN Convention on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, as well as article 24
dealing with the right to health.
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