Attempts to Resolve the Problem of Statelessness in Russia and Ukraine The laws and practices regulating the situation of stateless persons in both Russia and Ukraine are flawed, although to different degrees. But both countries have seen positive trends that show the situation may be changing for the better: for example, bills that would allow thousands of stateless persons to regulate their status are awaiting approval (introduction of a procedure to recognize a person as stateless in Ukraine; introduction of judicial control over placement of stateless persons in detention centers, documentation for stateless persons in Russia). These amendments were advanced through years of work by human rights attorneys and experts. This work includes specific legal assistance for clients, analyses of laws and practices in analytical reports presented at the international and domestic levels, and strategic court cases. The remainder of this report will look at problems requiring urgent resolution in Russia and Ukraine and at the achievements of human rights defenders in the area of strategic litigation and advocacy for the rights of stateless persons. Attempts to Adopt Statelessness Determination Procedure Bill No. 9123 “On Amendments to Several Legal Acts of Ukraine Concerning Recognition of a Person as Stateless” was registered with the Verkhovna Rada on September 21, 2018. 43 The purpose of this law is to create a procedure for recognizing a person as stateless, which would then allow this person to obtain a stateless person certificate and a residence permit confirming their legal right to live in Ukraine. Under this bill, stateless persons may submit an application to Ukraine’s State Migration Service to be recognized as a stateless person and present documents and facts confirming that they do not have citizenship of Russia or another country. The State Migration Service must review the application within six months and may 43 Draft law No. 9123 “On Amendments to Several Legal Acts of Ukraine Concerning Recognition of a Person as Stateless,” http://w1.c1.rada.gov.ua/pls/zweb2/ webproc4_1?pf3511=64673 24