Congo: Treatment of illegitimate children by its legitimate family, the population in general and authorities
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 16 January 2003 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | COG40930.E |
| Reference | 1 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Congo: Treatment of illegitimate children by its legitimate family, the population in general and authorities, 16 January 2003, COG40930.E, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/3f7d4d741f.html [accessed 17 October 2017] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Article 40 (2) of the Constitution of the Republic of Congo states that "children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall have the same rights" (ICL 15 Mar. 1992).
According to an official of the Embassy of the Republic of Congo (Brazzaville) in Washington, DC, Congolese society does not reject children who are born out of wedlock (Congo 15 Jan. 2003). The official stated, however, that a child may be mistreated by his or her step-parent, but that is considered a family, and not a state matter (ibid.). The only time that state authorities may intervene is when the paternity of an illegitimate child is in doubt (ibid.).
This information could not be corroborated by sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Congo. 15 January 2003. Embassy of the Republic of Congo, Washington, DC.
15 January 2003. Telephone interview with official.
International Constitutional Law (ICL). 15 March 1992. "Congo - Constitution." Additional Sources Consulted
Africa Confidential
Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Issues
Daniel G. Anna. December 1993. "Republic of the Congo." Constitutions of the Countries of the World. Edited by Albert P. Blaustein and Gisbert H. Flanz. Dobbs Ferry, NY: Oceana Publications.
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2001. 2002. United States Department of State. Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office.
Keesing's Record of World Events
Encyclopedia of the Third World. 1992. 3rd. ed. Vol. 1. Edited by George Thomas Kurian. New York: Facts On File.
New African.
Unsuccessful attempts to reach two oral sources
West Africa
Internet site:
All Africa
UNESCO
UNICEF
Research engine:
Google
