Foreword The birth of contemporary human rights was preceded by incredible suffering. People were denied their right to exist by so-called ‘authorities’ who used power to destroy rather than protect. The world came together to say ‘…never again… [to] the scourge of genocide’ and carefully constructed a system of human rights designed to safeguard the inherent dignity and worth of every individual. Irrespective of who they were or where they lived. Under biological classification, as a single life form, we human beings constitute one ‘race’. Whether we are ‘squares, circles, triangles, hexagons’ or other shapes too rare and unique to imagine, we are all deemed protected by laws determined by the State, but guaranteed by the international community. Yet race ideology seems impossible to shake off and may be enjoying a renaissance. Despite everything we know. We live in spaces recognised as ‘States’, ostensibly with governments that can serve our needs and guarantee our rights. But we live in time of crisis. What happens when a State turns racist, exacerbating difference, sealing borders and rejecting those who seek refuge? If it feeds a narrow sense of belonging and privilege, denying human empathy in the face of suffering? When it cheats: constructing false historical narratives and generating fear and hatred of the Other? Statelessness — not having a nationality — is manufactured to exacerbate difference and justify exclusion. It must be combatted with truth and empathy. This compelling book developed by one of the world’s leading actors on statelessness, demonstrates the cost of collective apathy and marginalisation on real lives. Can you stand for the erasure of identity? Will you turn away because it does not concern you? Or will you take a stand with those that work to hold power accountable? Joshua Castellino Executive Director, Minority Rights Group International Board Member, Institute on Statelessness and Inclusion To all the Shapeless Shapes in the world: Thank you for showing those who look hard enough, that ultimately, we all are shapes, no matter how same or different we might be. Hanna and Amal