Some States provide for a loss of nationality as a result of change in personal status, though it is becoming increasingly rare to do so.99 Such a change in personal status may occur, for example, through a successful denial of paternity where a legal system relies on the principle of jus sanguinis through the father as a basis for citizenship, or where the identity of a parent was erroneously recorded. As in all actions relating to children, States must take into account the best interests of the child as per their obligations under the CRC before making decisions. According to the Committee on the Rights of the Child “the ultimate purpose of the child’s best interests should be to ensure the full and effective enjoyment of the rights recognized in the Convention and the holistic development of the child”. The best interests principle, coupled with the exceptionally strong norm in international law against childhood statelessness, means that in no circumstances should States allow for the loss of nationality of a child where doing so would result in statelessness.100 As already outlined, article 9(2) of CEDAW prohibits an automatic change in the nationality of women as a result of marriage or termination of marriage, to ensure that women do not lose their nationalities on the basis of a change in personal status. Though marriage or termination of marriage resulting in a loss of nationality is less common in practice for men, the same principles should apply. In all circumstances relating to personal status, in no instance should a change in personal status result in a loss of nationality leading to statelessness. Loss must be conditional on possession or acquisition of another nationality.101 The 1961 Convention allows for loss of nationality for naturalised citizens based on prolonged residence abroad, for a period not less than seven consecutive years if they do not express their intention to retain their nationality. The Convention also permits loss of nationality if a national born abroad does not return to reside in their country of nationality, or register with an appropriate authority within a year of reaching majority. In the time since the 1961 Convention was drafted, the bond between individual and state has changed considerably, largely as a result of increased international migration. Between 1990 and 2017, the number of international migrants worldwide rose by over 105 million people, or by sixty-nine percent.102 Socioeconomic, demographic and political factors are causing more people than ever to live outside of their country of birth. Communication technology, 44

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