CONSTITUTIONAL COURT PETITIONED OVER REFUGEE CITIZENSHIP RIGHTS

The Zambia Civil Liberties Union, a non-profit organization, has petitioned the Constitutional Court seeking clarification on provisions of the Refugees Act and the Constitution regarding citizenship for refugees and their children born in Zambia.

Led by its Executive Director, Isaac Mwanza, the petitioner cites Articles 37(1)(a)(c) and 266 of the Constitution, read alongside Section 20(1)(c) of the Refugees Act.

The Union is asking the court to determine whether a refugee, aged 18 or older and residing in Zambia for at least five years (or ten years continuously), can apply for Zambian citizenship without losing their refugee status.

Additionally, the petition seeks interpretation on whether a child born in Zambia to one refugee parent and one Zambian citizen is considered a citizen by birth and entitled to full citizenship rights, including identification documents.

The Union also wants the court to clarify whether a person born in Zambia to two refugee parents, who has since reached the age of 18 and resided in Zambia for at least five years, is eligible to apply for registration as a Zambian citizen under Articles 37, 42, and 266 of the Constitution.
By Darius Choonya