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Ukraine + 17 more

UNHCR Quarterly Update Regional Bureau for Europe I Q3 Jul - Sep 2024

Attachments

UNHCR calls for renewed efforts to end Statelessness in Europe

UNHCR has a global mandate to protect stateless people worldwide and to engage in the prevention and reduction of statelessness. UNHCR is doing so by encouraging States to accede to the UN Conventions on Statelessness and by advocating for the respect of rights to which stateless people are entitled under international human rights law. By mid-2024, UNHCR estimates there being some 4.4 million stateless people and people of undetermined nationality globally, with just under 500,000 in Europe alone1 . Across Europe, gaps in nationality laws and policies including lack of legal safeguards against child statelessness, discrimination, in nationality law result in statelessness, particularly affecting children and minority groups. Statelessness threatens a person’s core identity by denying them the right to a nationality, which affects their sense of belonging. Stateless people cannot access basic rights such as going to school, working legally, accessing health care or getting married. Resolving statelessness benefits the wider society. Providing children with citizenship reduces vulnerability and ensures access to essential rights and services while helping reduce social tensions, leading to more inclusive and resilient societies. Stateless individuals also represent an untapped workforce, who if engaged into the formal labour market can contribute to national economies.