It is better to light a candle than

It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness Date/time NAME OF SESSION Name of speaker

We are ordinary people from across the world standing up for human rights

Children’s citizenship rights

What is British Citizenship? British citizenship means you can: • • • Live and work in the UK without any restrictions Vote and stand for office Can have access to a British Passport

Quick quiz… How many children in the UK are entitled to British citizenship but do not have it? A) 65, 000 B) Between 1, 000 and 1, 500 C) Between 100, 000 and 120, 000 D) 1012

Quick quiz… • An estimated 120, 000 children do not have British Citizenship • We do not have an exact figure but many of these 120, 000 children are entitled to British Citizenship • 65, 000 of these children and young people were born in Britain

Quick quiz… There are many children in the UK who are not currently British citizens, but have the right to be registered as British citizens. How much would it cost for a child to exercise this right? A) £ 35 B) £ 1, 012 C) £ 372 D) £ 640

Quick quiz… The fee for a child to exercise this right is currently £ 1, 012 • • • £ 372 is the processing cost £ 640 is therefore profit for the Home Office When the laws on registration first came into effect in 1983 the fee was £ 35

Quick quiz… What are the exceptions to the payment of this fee? a) Those who cannot afford the fee can apply for a fee waiver b) The fee does not apply for children in local authority care c) The fee does not apply for children born in the UK d) There are no exceptions

Quick quiz… There are no exceptions! • This means that children who cannot afford the fee are not able to register (and lose their right to do so on turning 18). • For children who are in local authority care, their local authority must pay the fee. Local authorities rarely make these applications for children in their care, even if it is arguably in the child’s best interest.

Debate … Should the citizenship fee be £ 1, 012? • £ 372 is the processing cost • £ 640 is profit for the Home Office

What do we want? 1. Removal of the profit making aspect of the fee 2. Possibility of fee waivers 3. No fee for children assisted by a local authority

How you can get support Support the campaign • Send us your drawings and messages • Sign the petition Search: Amnesty - Home Office stop blocking children’s rights Join the Amnesty Children’s Human Rights Network: /Amnesty. International. Childrens. Humanrights @amnestyinterna tional_chrn @amnesty. UK_ CHRN