We have constantly been asked by nurses, family, friends and other well-wishers, since Luka was born in Darwin 'does this mean he is an Ozzie?' The answer is no. Children born in Australia only qualify for citizenship if at least one of their parents is a citizen or permanent resident. But since Luka has not yet been recognized through a 'foreign birth registration' by either the US or South African governments, that essentially means that he is 'without citizenship' - which, as a human rights lawyer raises the question - is his basic human rights presently being violated?
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights clearly states in Article 15:
Let the passport paroxysms commence!
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights clearly states in Article 15:
"You have the right to be treated as a citizen of the country you come from. No one can take away your citizenship, or prevent you from changing your country, without good reason."Which begs the question - exactly where does Luka 'come from' and how can his citizenship be taken away, if he doesn't have a citizenship? Further to that, the Article states that you cannot be prevented from 'changing your country' - does that include trying to change to your desired country of eventual citizenship from the wholly arbitrary and unintentional third country in which you found yourself accidentally born?
Let the passport paroxysms commence!
Susan - if either the US or South Africa refuse to grant him citizenship, I think you have a case! The good thing is that he'll have no shortage of volunteers to help him bring the suit -- I'll be first in line!
ReplyDeleteMaybe it's easiest Luka just stays with us in Perth until you figure this out! Can't believe that you have issues like this when you are suppose to love him 24/7!
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