The Government of Ethiopia has made a pledge, during the Leaders’ Summit in 2016, to provide various documents to refugees that are instrumental in expediting their socio-economic inclusion. Article 32 (1) of the Refugees Proclamation, Proc. No. 1110/2019, recognizes the right of recognized refugees and asylum-seekers to be issued with identity paper attesting to their identity. Identity Papers are one among a range of identification documents issued to recognized refugees and asylum seekers. Article 2(11) of the same Proclamation defines identification document broadly to include documents issued by Refugees and Returnees Services (RRS) to recognized refugees and asylum-seekers, including identity paper, travel document, pass permit, proof of registration, birth certificate or similar documents that attest as to the identity of the bearer.

The broader definition of identification document is particularly valuable during registering and issuing appropriate documentation to refugees in large-scale influx situations. Also, Identity Papers are issued for refugees that are 14 years and above, and hence, documents like proof of registration and birth certificates would facilitate the access to services providers such as schools or health care facilities for those children that have not yet attained 14 years.

Refugees who are resident in Ethiopia have the right to register for and obtain digital identification in accordance with Article 3 and 7 of the Ethiopia Digital Identification Proclamation, Proclamation No. 1284/2023, regardless of whether they have travel documents. The purpose of the digital identification is to facilitate freedom of movement and provision of services.

In Ethiopia, there are no readily available guidelines that are meant to set requirements for issuance, period of validity and benefits associated with identity paper. Based on Article 14(2) of the Immigration Proclamation No. 354/2003, refugees shall obtain an identity card within thirty days from the date of their arrival. RRS issues two types of identity cards/papers, for asylum seekers and recognized refugees, free of any fee or charge, with a validity for three years. The content of the two identity cards is similar except that one is identification for recognized refugees and the other for asylum seekers. In the identity papers, it is also indicated whether the refugee/asylum seeker is OCP (for refugees that benefits from the out-of-camp policy) or Urban Assisted. For refugees who live in camps, it also contains the name of the refugee camp in which the refugee resides. In addition to attesting to their identity, the identity papers serve to access various services like driver’s license, banking and financial institution, and telecom services among others.