SUB-REGIONAL OVERVIEW: SOUTHEAST ASIA SUB-REGIONAL OVERVIEW: SOUTHEAST ASIA Population languages, among other requirements.3176 While stateless persons may be eligible for this process, there is no simplified or expedited procedure for naturalization available for stateless persons or refugees in Timor-Leste. Reported stateless persons Timor-Leste reported zero stateless persons to UNHCR in 2022.3183 Dual citizenship Dual citizenship is recognized in Timor-Leste, as stipulated by Section 5 of the Law on Citizenship.3177 Causes of Statelessness Treaty ratification status The limitations on available research and data on statelessness in Timor-Leste undermines our knowledge of the causes of statelessness in the country. As a nation with relatively recent Independence (2002) and a long colonial history it is likely that certain groups may be at risk of statelessness due to state succession and transitions in nationality laws.3184 While Timor-Leste has yet to ratify the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons and the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness, the country has ratified the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol, ICCPR, ICESCR, ICERD, CRC, and CEDAW with no relevant reservations. In its 2023 concluding observations, the CEDAW Committee expressed concerns regarding the lack of data on stateless women and girls in Timor-Leste.3178 In 2015, the CRC Committee highlighted the low birth registration rate, especially in rural areas, of which costs for documents remained a barrier.3179 As a party to CRC, Timor-Leste is obligated to ensure that every birth is registered immediately and that all children enjoy the right to acquire a nationality.3180 in 2015 regarding the low birth registration rate, especially in rural areas, of which costs for documents remained a barrier.3189 In 2018, TimorLeste’s government partnered with UNICEF to strengthen the birth registration, with funding provided by Japan.3190 The program intended to implement a mobile registration system to improve access in rural areas and establish “local coordination mechanisms to improve [the] birth registration system in Timor-Leste”.3191 The birth registration project ended in December 2022, and visited a total of 114 villages and 490 sub-villages in 7 municipalities, registering a total of 37,511 children.3192 However, the CEDAW expressed concerns over the program’s lack of information on the impact of the campaign.3193 The Committee also recommended that the mobile registration units be strengthened to ensure universal birth registration.3194 Reported birth registration rates in Timor-Leste are the lowest in the Southeast Asian region, at only 60% with only 30% possessing a copy of their birth certificate. Lack of legal safeguards against childhood statelessness Timor-Leste’s citizenship laws provide that a child of ‘incognito parents, stateless parents or parents of unknown citizenship’ will be considered an original citizen of Timor-Leste.3185 While this provision explicitly protects stateless children, it is less clear if foundling children can gain citizenship through it.3186 Administrative barriers In 2014, Timor-Leste committed to the principle of universal birth registration and to improve its CRVS systems.3181 A program to fulfill this commitment was launched in 20203182, which is elaborated on in the administrative barriers section. Reported birth registration rates in Timor-Leste are the lowest in the Southeast Asian region, at only 60%3187 with only 30% possessing a copy of their birth certificate.3188 The CRC expressed concerns TABLE 82 Status of Accession of International Human Rights Treaties in Southeast Asia Country Timor-Leste ✅ ⛔ 274 Stateless 1 ⛔ Stateless 2 ⛔ Refugee Signifies that the country is a party to the convention Signifies that the country is not a party to the convention ✅ ICCPR ✅ ICESCR ✅ ICERD ✅ CRC ✅ CEDAW ✅ Stateless 1 - 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons Stateless 2 - 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness STATELESSNESS ENCYCLOPEDIA ASIA PACIFIC (DETAILED VERSION) REPORT 2024 275