Nationality & facilitated naturalization

Djibouti's legislative framework, in compliance with its obligations as a signatory to the Geneva Convention, mandates the protection of refugees and asylum seekers, specifically facilitating their naturalization process. This commitment is codified in Article 14(1) of Law No. 159/AN/16/7th L, which explicitly affords refugees and asylum seekers, lawfully residing within its jurisdiction, the right to seek naturalization. This provision is complemented by Decree No. 2017-410/PR/MI, which elaborates on the implementation of refugees' and asylum seekers' fundamental rights and delineates the responsibilities of the National Office for Assistance to Refugees and Disaster Victims (ONARS) in the naturalization procedure.

The Djiboutian Civil Code, enacted through Law No. 003/AN/18/8th L on April 12, 2018, ensures a non-discriminatory approach to naturalization, applicable to all foreign nationals, including refugees and asylum seekers. It specifically addresses the documentation challenges commonly faced by refugees through targeted provisions, thereby streamlining the naturalization process. The Civil Code outlines the criteria for nationality acquisition, including descent, birth on Djiboutian soil, full adoption, and marriage, emphasizing naturalization as the primary mechanism for refugees, especially minors, to acquire Djiboutian nationality.

Moreover, Law No. 003/AN/18/8th L establishes a procedural framework for appealing naturalization denials, granting individuals the right to appeal to designated judicial authorities and involving the public prosecutor in the adjudication process.

Although Djibouti's legal statutes do not explicitly articulate the concept of permanent residency, they construct a legal framework that effectively mirrors such a status. Through Law No. 159/AN/16/7th L and Decree No. 2017-410/PR/MI, refugees and asylum seekers are granted rights in accordance with international conventions, encompassing access to employment, education, and social welfare. 
These legal provisions are instrumental in promoting the integration of refugees and asylum seekers into Djiboutian society, providing them with protections equivalent to those of permanent residents and thereby fostering an inclusive environment for their assimilation and active participation in the community.