Institute on Statelessness and Inclusion, ASKV Refugee Support, European Network on Statelessness and Defence for Children - The Netherlands Joint Submission to the Human Rights Council at the 27th Session of the Universal Periodic Review The Netherlands Introduction 1. The Institute on Statelessness and Inclusion (the Institute), ASKV Refugee Support (ASKV), the European Network and Statelessness (ENS) and Defence for Children – The Netherlands (DCINetherlands) make this joint submission to the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in relation to statelessness, access to nationality and human rights in the Netherlands. 2. The Institute1 is an independent non-profit organisation committed to an integrated, human rights based response to the injustice of statelessness and exclusion through a combination of research, education, partnerships and advocacy. Established in August 2014, it is the first and only global centre committed to promoting the human rights of stateless persons and ending statelessness. 3. ASKV2 is an Amsterdam-based organisation, providing legal assistance and social support (including shelter) to undocumented refugees. At present, ASKV is one the last remaining organisations of its kind in Amsterdam, and every year hundreds of undocumented people make use of our daily walk-in legal and social advice clinics. ASKV has particular expertise in providing housing and guidance to refugees with psychiatric disorders. In addition to direct assistance, ASKV is a vocal advocate for refugee rights, both locally and nationally. 4. ENS3 is a civil society alliance of NGOs, lawyers, academics and other independent experts committed to addressing statelessness in Europe. Based in London, it currently has over 100 members (including 55 organisations) in 39 European countries. ENS organises its work around three pillars – law and policy, communications and capacity-building. The Network provides expert advice and support to a range of stakeholders, including governments. 5. DCI-Netherlands4 is set up to ensure action directed towards promoting and protecting the rights of the child in The Netherlands and elsewhere. The organization fights against violation of children’s rights by focusing its efforts on research, lobbying for children’s rights, advocacy, education and legal advice. Our starting point and source of inspiration is the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. 1 For more information about the Institute on Statelessness and Inclusion, please see the website http://www.institutesi.org/. 2 For more information about ASKV, please see the website http://www.askv.nl/. 3 For more information about ENS, please see the website http://www.statelessness.eu/. 4 For more information about DCI-Netherlands, please see the website http://www.defenceforchildren.org/dcinetherlands/