Hundreds of migrant workers, primarily Kenyan mothers and their children, are trapped in Saudi Arabia due to a lack of proper documentation.
These children, born in the kingdom, face significant legal barriers that prevent them from obtaining Saudi Arabian birth certificates, leaving families in a precarious situation.
In Saudi Arabia, having a child without marriage is illegal. As a result, authorities do not issue birth certificates for such children.
This harsh reality complicates matters even further. Mothers who give birth at home must provide DNA evidence to prove maternity.
Many children remain undocumented, unable to navigate the legal complexities that would allow them to return home to Kenya.
The denial of birth registration for these children raises serious human rights concerns. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child recognizes birth registration as a fundamental human right.
However, the current legal framework in Saudi Arabia contradicts this principle. This situation leaves both mothers and children vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.
Living conditions for these families are dire. Many mothers work without proper documentation to support their children, often in low-paying jobs that offer little security.
Some families have no choice but to sleep on the streets, exposing them to further risks. Without protection, children face threats of sex and organ trafficking, illegal adoption, sexual assault, and other forms of exploitation.
Experts suggest that the best-case scenario for these families involves Saudi authorities issuing birth certificates to the children despite existing laws.
Another proposed solution is granting amnesty, allowing families to return home without the required documentation.
If these options are not feasible, deportation could be a last resort. Unfortunately, this route would also require birth certificates, placing families back at square one.
Organizations like Do Bold actively work to assist these families by gathering case details and advocating for their rights.
They explore avenues to request exemptions from the Saudi government to facilitate the issuance of birth certificates or amnesty for these families.
Without intervention, these families remain stuck in a vulnerable and precarious position, desperately seeking a way to navigate the legal labyrinth that binds them.