Conclusion on civil registration
No. 111 (LXIV) - 2013
EXCOM Conclusions, 17 October 2013
The Executive Committee,
Recalling its previous Conclusions, notably Nos. 22 (XXXII), 47 (XXXVIII), 90 (LII),
91 (LII), 95 (LIV), 100 (LV), 101 (LV), 102 (LVI), 105 (LVII), 106 (LVII), 107 (LVIII), 108 (LIX), and 109 (LX ),
and taking note of relevant UN resolutions,
Recognizing civil registration and documentation, especially birth registration as a proof of birth of a person,
contribute to enhancing protection and the implementation of durable solutions, including by documenting links
with countries of origin,
Reaffirming that every child shall be registered immediately after birth, without discrimination of any kind,
Recognizing that civil registration systems, which record births, deaths, cause of death, and marriage, provide
substantial information for policy and humanitarian planning,
Acknowledging the long-standing generosity extended by host countries, particularly the developing States, some
hosting large numbers of refugees, sometimes over a protracted period of time, and the socio-economic and
environmental impact on those countries and their communities; and recognizing the necessity for mobilizing the
necessary support, including funding to assist countries receiving refugees in line with the principles of equitable
burden-sharing, and international solidarity and cooperation,
Noting that the lack of civil registration and related documentation makes persons vulnerable to statelessness and
associated protection risks, and that birth registration is often essential to the reduction and prevention of
statelessness,
Recognizing the need to further strengthen efforts where there is a low level of birth registration and related
documentation, to improve access to civil registration, while acknowledging the need to assist countries hosting
large numbers of refugee children, as well as to intensify efforts to implement durable solutions,
(a)
Urges States to ensure civil registration and emphasizes that every child shall be registered immediately after
birth without discrimination of any kind, taking into consideration that civil registration and, in particular, birth
registration provide substantial information for policy and humanitarian planning, through regulations that
contribute towards enhancing protection and the implementation of durable solutions;
(b)
Encourages States to undertake, in accordance with its own laws and, as appropriate, in cooperation and with
the support from UNHCR, any necessary legal and practical measures to overcome the difficulties in conducting
civil registration, including through establishing or strengthening existing institutions responsible for civil
registration, building their capacity and ensuring the safety and confidentiality of their records;
(c)
Urges UNHCR, with the consent of and in full cooperation with the Governments concerned, and, when
appropriate in cooperation with other relevant United Nations agencies, funds and programmes, as well as regional
organizations and civil society, to facilitate civil registration, in particular birth registration, through for example
collecting and sharing good practices, holding technical workshops, capacity building activities, and providing
information and advice to concerned persons, and also to abide by the fundamental principles and international
norms and standards governing the protection of personal data;
(d)
Encourages States to make accessible civil registration, in particular through
(i)
adopting simplified administrative procedures and, where appropriate, integrating civil registration with other
public services including those relating to childbirth, maternal-infant care, immunization and education;
(ii)
carrying out regular awareness campaigns or community outreach activities;