Comments Where the basis for nationality, such as a genuine connection or allegiance to a State no longer exists, States can provide for the termination of nationality in exceptional circumstances 90. Most of the international standards regarding withdrawal of nationality have been derived from the 1961 Convention. The 1961 Convention sets out two ways that nationality may be permissibly withdrawn; loss of nationality, in which nationality is automatically withdrawn by the operation of law, and deprivation of nationality, which occurs due to a discretionary act at the initiative of the State, exceptionally. Under the general rules of treaty interpretation, as found in the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, the ordinary meaning of the terms used in the 1961 Convention must be read in their context, taking into account the object and purpose of the Convention.91 The object and purpose of the 1961 Convention is to prevent and reduce statelessness, thereby ensuring every individual’s right to a nationality.92 The 1961 Convention must also be read in light of subsequent developments in international law, in particular the growing body of international human rights law which broadly recognizes the right of all people to acquire and retain a nationality.93 Considering both the object and purpose of the 1961 Convention, and the subsequent developments in international human rights law, any provisions on withdrawal of nationality should always weigh the effect of withdrawal of nationality on an individual against the interests of the State, adhering to the principle of proportionality. There are numerous bases outlined in the 1961 Convention upon which States may choose to provide for loss of nationality. Though some States allow for the automatic loss of nationality, it is preferable that States retain discretion over the withdrawal over an individual’s nationality. Where States are able to review decisions to withdraw nationality, they may take into account individual circumstances, and assess whether the withdrawal of nationality is proportional. Additionally, the grounds for loss of nationality as provided for in the 1961 Convention, that is the acquisition of a foreign nationality, a change in personal status, or prolonged residence abroad are diminishingly used by States, and with the advent of globalisation, have become increasingly obsolete. Therefore, no methods of automatic loss of nationality were included in this toolkit. However, as some LAS member 42