Algeria

The Sahrawi in Algeria are a refugee-descended stateless population. Since 1975, three generations of Sahrawis have been born and raised as refugees in Algeria. The CRC (2012) expressed concern that refugee and stateless children are not systematically provided with birth certificates. This puts them at risk of statelessness and hinders their access to essential social services. CEDAW (2012) recommended that Algeria ensure that birth certificates are issued to all children born in the country, including refugee and stateless children. ​​The Algerian government appears reluctant even to recognize refugee status for the Sahrawi. UNHCR (2017, 2022) and a civil society UPR submission (2017) lamented that the government of Algeria called the Sahrawi refugees when appealing for international humanitarian aid, yet failed to grant refugee status or issue national documentation for refugees recognized by UNHCR.