Ensuring that children in Iraq have proper documentation is important to protect their rights. By recording their personal and legal information, such as name, birth date, citizenship, and family status, children are better able to access essential services like healthcare and education. Additionally, having proper documentation helps to prevent exploitation, abuse, forced labor, trafficking, and other forms of mistreatment by enabling children to prove their identity and citizenship. In this article, we are going to present what is important documentation and why are they important for children in Iraq.
What is the required documentation to obtain as a child?
Why is it necessary for children to have these documents?
1. Protection Against Violence and Mistreatment:
Documentation can make it easier for Iraqi children to seek legal assistance and protective steps if they are the victims of abuse or neglect. For instance, legal documentation can guarantee that a child is put in safe custody and that their rights are upheld if they are taken from their home due to abuse or neglect.
2.Ensuring child’s rights in inheritance:
To ensure the child’s inheritance rights in cases where there are disputes or disagreements over the distribution of assets, there must have proper documentation, including a birth certificate and legal identification. Without documentation, children may be denied their inheritance rights or have difficulty proving their relationship with their family members.
3. Accessibility to job opportunities:
Lack of documentation can limit the child’s accessibility to job opportunities and being a part of the workforce. Most companies/organizations in Iraq require employees to provide legal identification like (national ID card, passport, or residency card). Without them, children may face significant barriers to finding employment and earning a living.
Having proper documentation is considered as a proof of the children age and identity, which can help prevent employers from hiring them for dangerous or exploitative work. And it can help children in Iraq access training and educational opportunities that can improve their job prospects and increase their earning potential.
4. Providing voting right and passport:
Ensuring that children can exercise their rights to vote and travel abroad with a passport. In Iraq, the legal voting age is 18 years old, and individuals must have proper identification, including a national ID card or passport, to register to vote.
Similarly, to obtain a passport, individuals must have proper documentation, including a birth certificate, national ID card, and residency card.
5. The right to access education:
To enroll in schools, children must provide legal identification, including a birth certificate, national ID card, and residency card. Without proper documentation, children may be denied access to education, limiting their opportunities to learn and grow.
6. Access to Health Services:
Most healthcare providers require patients to provide legal identification, including a national ID card or residency card. Providing proper documentation can confirm a child's identity, age, and medical history, helping to ensure that they receive the appropriate medical treatment and care. Without proper documentation, children may face significant barriers to accessing healthcare services.
Resources
Article by UNICEF about What is birth registration and why is it important. Click here.
Article by UNICEF about Child protection, Click here.
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