Statelessness remains a significant issue both globally and in Europe, despite the existence of relevant international treaties to prevent and reduce this phenomenon and to protect stateless persons. The right to a nationality is reflected in numerous widely ratified international treaties and is considered a gateway to the enjoyment of a range of other rights. It also constitutes part of a person's social identity.

Yet, according to the latest UNHCR estimates, there are some 535,000 stateless persons, including those with undetermined nationality living in Europe. The lack of nationality has a serious impact on their lives, their enjoyment of the full range of human rights, including access to education, employment, healthcare, housing, and freedom of movement. The Covid-19 pandemic has certainly aggravated their already marginalized situation.

The causes of statelessness are manifold, including complexities of conflicts in nationality laws, state succession, forced displacement, historical and contemporary migration, structural birth registration problems, gaps in nationality and administrative practices. The prevention and reduction of statelessness and the identification and protection of stateless persons are among the priority areas of the Council of Europe’s Action Plan on Protecting Vulnerable Persons in the Context of Migration and Asylum in Europe (2021-2025).

EVENTS

 

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE AND TECHNICAL MEETING OF EXPERTS (Strasbourg 23-24 September 2021)

The CDCJ are organising jointly with the UNHCR, a technical meeting of experts and an international conference (23-24 September 2021) to raise awareness and promote the accession of all its 47 member States to International and European conventions relating to nationality and statelessness, and their successful implementation.

Link to the Conference page


 

CDCJ AD-HOC MEETING ON STATELESSNESS (Strasbourg, 11-12 June 2019)

Bearing in mind the Council of Europe Action Plan on protecting refugee and migrant children for 2017-2019,  an ad hoc meeting was held in June 2019 to review the protocols and procedures used by member States. The outcome of their work was taken into account in an detailed analysis of current practices and challenges regarding the avoidance and reduction of statelessness in Europe. (see more)


 

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