A/HRC/60/42 contributions to the discussions, and by reaffirming the importance of maintaining momentum on nationality and statelessness issues within the agenda of the Human Rights Council. VI. Conclusion and recommendations 38. The experts affirm that statelessness, in any form, constitutes a prolonged and dehumanizing violation of human rights. While its causes may vary, the emotional and material damage inflicted is universal. 39. The experts underscore the critical role of awareness-raising and advocacy in addressing discrimination in nationality matters and statelessness. Sustained efforts are needed to amplify the voices and lived experiences of stateless people and to expand research and public understanding through partnerships with academic institutions, policy think tanks and civil society organizations. Ultimately, achieving meaningful change necessitates not only legal reform but also strong political will, administrative fairness and inclusive governance. Policies must be designed to uphold the dignity and rights of all persons, including those who are stateless, and must acknowledge the historical roots of statelessness, including those linked to colonialism and subsequent exclusionary legal frameworks. This demands a multifaceted approach – combining legal action, international solidarity and direct support to those affected – while recognizing that statelessness, regardless of its origins, represents a prolonged and dehumanizing violation of human rights with far-reaching consequences. The experts emphasize the importance of engagement with international stakeholders, including UNHCR and other international organizations and civil society, particularly in the current context where resources are increasingly limited. 40. The experts urge the international community and Member States to strengthen legal and policy frameworks to uphold the right to nationality and address statelessness, including by: (a) Ensuring that no one is arbitrarily deprived of their nationality, by enshrining clear legal safeguards in national legislation, including guarantees of due process; (b) Enacting and implementing comprehensive legal reforms that eliminate discriminatory provisions and improve equal access to nationality in national legislation; (c) Enacting amendments to nationality laws that grant women equal rights with men to confer nationality on their children and spouses as well as equal rights regarding the acquisition, change or retention of their nationality; (d) Where necessary, ensuring that reforms apply retroactively, to correct past injustices and ensure that affected persons can access nationality; (e) Enshrining general principles of equality and non-discrimination, including on the grounds of gender, race and ethnicity in national constitutions; (f) Guaranteeing universal birth registration and equal access to birth and marriage certificates, without discrimination on the grounds of gender or marital status, to prevent risks of statelessness; (g) Simplifying administrative procedures and removing structural barriers to facilitate access to nationality and the obtaining of nationality documentation, including through decentralization of decision-making to provincial and district levels to reduce bureaucratic delays; (h) Fast-tracking permanent residency applications for stateless persons; (i) Creating pathways for stateless persons to have their nationality confirmed or to acquire nationality, including through facilitated naturalization; GE.25-10379 9