and enter one’s “own country” is not limited to citizens of the country, with the UN Human Rights Committee clarifying that this right is also enjoyed by stateless persons in relation to their country of habitual residence.9 It is important to recognize that each individual, whether or not they hold a nationality, possesses human rights under international human rights law. For the most part, international human rights treaties do not distinguish between citizens and non-citizens when requiring that states respect the fundamental human rights of those within their jurisdiction or control. One chief exception is the right to political participation, which is generally reserved for citizens of a given country.10 Though States have an obligation to ensure that fundamental human rights are enjoyed by all people within their jurisdiction or control, including those who do not possess a nationality, the practical enjoyment of these rights in reality and implementation is often compromised due to formulations in domestic law and policy. As a result, individuals without a nationality are often denied access to basic services and rights such as the ability to establish legal residence, travel, work in the formal economy, send children to school, access basic health services, purchase or own property, and vote. Many of the international treaties which have an impact on nationality law are either universally or widely acceded to amongst LAS member States. For example, the 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child (hereinafter CRC)11, to which all LAS member States are party, stipulates that each child has a right to a nationality and an identity from birth. Additionally, the 1966 International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (hereinafter CERD)12, the 1979 Convention on the Elimination of all Discrimination of Women (hereinafter CEDAW)13 , the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (hereinafter ICCPR), and the 2007 Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities14 all contain important provisions relating to the right to acquire a nationality. The most comprehensive treaty in relation to nationality is the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness (hereinafter 1961 Convention).15 The 1961 Convention provides a framework of rules relating to the acquisition, renunciation, loss and deprivation of nationality. Though the 1961 Convention has not yet been acceded to by many LAS member States, the treaty remains useful as a source of norms that have been accepted by the international community. LAS member States are encouraged to consider acceding to the 1961 Convention in conjunction with making any changes to their nationality 7