awareness/understanding of importance of documentation among these people; (iii) unaffordable state fees and/or other financial constraints preventing vulnerable people from travelling from remote locations to district centers/Yerevan to resolve their documentation issues; (iv) the lack of free legal aid and representation on documentation issues in case undocumented persons cannot afford it (in particular, in case of remote areas); and (v) the absence of simplified procedures for persons with specific needs (mental and physical disabilities) to prioritize and facilitate their access to documentation. Although there used to be a simplified naturalization procedure for ethnic Armenians, who are former USSR citizens (not available, see above - simplified procedure), including those who came from Azerbaijan, there is a more complicated and lengthy procedure for those who are not ethnic Armenians. UNHCR recommends the Government to reform the relevant registration systems to ensure that all civil registration and documentation procedures, including birth registration, are universally accessible by simplifying complex procedures and eliminating barriers related to cost, time, distance and bureaucracy. There are also challenges with birth registration of children born in Armenia in case of (i) a home birth and missed 6-month deadline for birth registration (mainly in case of minority groups); (ii) the lack of a medical certificate confirming the child birth due to the absence or deficiencies with documentation of the mother or both parents; and (iii) abandonment of the hospital without an authorization and a medical certificate of birth. Such cases can be resolved only through a lengthy, costly and complex judicial review procedure, which requires legal assistance and representation. Late registration requires legal and administrative assistance that most of the concerned people do not know where to obtain and/or cannot afford, which may ultimately leave them at risk of statelessness. UNHCR recommends and is ready to support the Government with enhancement of the legislation and practice to guarantee universal, free and immediate birth registration for every child irrespective of the parents’ status, documentation, or whether the child was born in a medical institution; and consider enhancement of the legislation to facilitate late birth registration, including by providing free legal aid and representation if the concerned persons cannot afford it otherwise. In addition, UNHCR also promotes and advocates for accession of Armenia to the European Convention on Nationality to demonstrate adherence to European human rights standards and introduce stronger principles and rules applying to all aspects of nationality covering issues of multiple nationality, military obligations and co-operation between States Parties. Conclusion Based on a brief analysis of the scope, profile, causes and magnitude of statelessness issues in Armenia, it is obvious that statelessness issues are not of a complicated nature. Provided that there is a political will, leadership and allocated resources by the Government, the gaps and shortcomings identified may be addressed through further development and harmonization of relevant legislation and enhancement of its implementation in accordance with international standards. Within the framework of the #IBelong Global Campaign to End Statelessness and in accordance with pledges of the Government, UNHCR Armenia has developed a Strategy (Annex 1) and Action Plan for the Campaign to End Statelessness for 2020–2022 (Annex 2). UNHCR Armenia stands ready to support the Government with its efforts focused on improving the national legislation and practice on matters related to the prevention and reduction of statelessness, as well as the identification and protection of stateless persons. UNHCR Armenia 20 August 2020 5