Statelessness remains an issue of concern both in Europe and globally. The causes of statelessness are manifold and are often the result of intricate conflicts in nationality laws, state succession, forced displacement, historical and contemporary migration, structural birth registration problems, access to nationality and related administrative practices.
The right to a nationality is recognised in widely ratified international treaties, such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the European Convention on Nationality (ETS No. 166), and is considered a gateway to the enjoyment of a range of other rights. It also constitutes part of a person's social identity as highlighted by the European Court of Human Rights. Yet, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) latest estimates of 2022, there are some 442 000 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 Council of Europe considers as a priority the need to ensure the effective enjoyment of human rights by the most vulnerable, including those faced with nationality and statelessness issues.
At its 103rd plenary meeting (19-21 November 2024), the CDCJ examined a feasibility study for a non-binding legal instrument on access to nationality for stateless children. It agreed to revise Recommendation CM/Rec(2009)13 on the nationality of children, and complement it with a checklist for policy makers by the end of 2026. In parallel, the CDCJ has prepared a Compendium of promising practice in respect of legal aid and representation, access to information and to justice for children in procedures relating to the determination of nationality or statelessness, adopted at the 105th plenary meeting of the CDCJ (18-20 November 2025).
The CDCJ-MIG held its 5th meeting on stateless children on 23-24 February 2026, online, chaired by Katerina Radova (Czechia). During its meeting, it continued reviewing the draft revised recommendation on the nationality of children as well as its related explanatory memorandum in the light of...
The European Committee on Legal Co-operation (CDCJ) publishes today the Compendium of Promising Practices on Access to Nationality for Stateless Children, following its adoption at its 105th plenary meeting (18-20 November 2025). This compendium was prepared by the CDCJ’s Limited Working Group...
The CDCJ Limited Working Group on Migration (CDCJ-MIG) held its 4th meeting where it examined and finalised a draft compendium on promising practices in respect of legal aid and representation, access to information and to justice for children in procedures relating to the determination of...
The Limited Working group of the CDCJ on migration (CDCJ-MIG) held its third meeting on access to nationality for stateless children on 23-25 April 2025 online. During its meeting, it examined and reviewed the preliminary draft revised Recommendation CM/Rec(2009)13 on the nationality of children...
As a contribution to the Council of Europe Action Plan on Protecting Vulnerable Persons in the Context of Migration and Asylum in Europe (2021-2025) and the Council of Europe Strategy for the Rights of the Child (2022-2027), the European Committee on Legal Co-operation (CDCJ) publishes a...
The Limited Working group of the CDCJ on migration (CDCJ-MIG) held its second meeting on stateless children on 26-27 September 2024 online. During its meeting, it examined the preliminary draft feasibility study on a non-binding legal instrument regarding stateless children’s access to...
On 30-31 May 2024, the CDCJ Limited working group on migration held its 1st meeting online and exchanged views on its work programme, key themes and implementation of tasks for its two-years mandate in 2024-2026. The group also carried out a hearing of statelessness advocates having experienced...
Strengthening efforts to end statelessness in Europe and guarantee the provision of fundamental rights to everyone was the key theme of the events organised on 23-24 September in Strasbourg by the Council of Europe’s European Committee on Legal Co-operation (CDCJ) and UNHCR, the UN Refugee...
An international conference jointly organised by the Council of Europe, through the European Committee on Legal Co-operation, and the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) will examine how member states in Europe can best address the problem of statelessness and foster opportunities to rally...
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Side-Event on Preventing Child Statelessness, 61st UN Human Rights Council, 2 March 2026
Anne-Christine HECK
Modified 25 Days ago.
On 2 March 2026, from 10:15 to 11:45 am CET, a hybrid side-event will take place during the 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, addressing the issue of child statelessness. Co-organised by UNHCR and Child Identity Protection (CHIP), and co-sponsored by the Council of Europe and the Global Alliance to End Statelessness, the event will highlight global efforts to ensure every child’s right to a nationality. It will also mark the 65th anniversary of the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness. It also falls within the framework of the Global Alliance to End Statelessness, launched in October 2024 by UNHCR and joined by the Council of Europe.
The Compendium of Promising Practices on Access to Nationality for Stateless Children, recently published by the CDCJ, will be presented during this event. It highlights practical legal and administrative measures to prevent child statelessness. The event will bring together governments, international experts and advocates to discuss challenges, share good practices, and advance coordinated efforts to end child statelessness.
