(Newsletter May 2023)

The Human Rights Council adopted at its 52nd session a Resolution on birth registration and the right of everyone to recognition everywhere as a person before the law. The resolution calls upon States to identify and reform laws and policies to enable immediate birth registration for all and to prevent all forms of discrimination against women and children in accessing birth registration. It also requests the High Commissioner to prepare a study on the use of digital technologies to achieve universal birth registration. This renewed focus highlights the importance of birth registration as a right and as a key action towards universally protecting the rights of all children to identity. The resolution is the result of a process of consultations with States and NGOs led by the Permanent Missions of Mexico and Türkiye.