SAHNI ARTICLE 3.3.21 (WORD) (DO NOT DELETE) 112 Gonzaga Journal of International Law I. 5/6/2021 7:21 PM Vol. 24:2 INTRODUCTION The United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)1 on 10 December 1948. Forty-eight out of fifty-eight Member States voted to pass the instrument.2 These progressive States were: Afghanistan, Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Burma, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, France, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Iceland, India, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Liberia, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Siam (Thailand), Sweden, Syria, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, and Venezuela.3 The remaining Member States abstained or declined to exercise franchise: Byelorussian SSR, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Ukrainian SSR, Union of South Africa, USSR, Yugoslavia, Honduras and Yemen.4 The voting States therein represented the first global consensus to recognize a right to nationality. Their affirmation that the right could apply under international law, as well as their own domestic legal systems, is truly relevant. It confirms that the possession of nationality and its accompanying rights are fundamental to protect an individual. Having a nationality shields a person politically in the nation(s) he or she belongs to and interacts with. On a local level, a right to nationality is a crucial precautionary measure to reside securely in one’s country.5 For example, pandemics such as COVID19 demonstrate the health care costs and logistical impediments that confront States. Overwhelmed or cautious States in response may require non-citizens to exit. A right to nationality is also a crucial transnational precautionary measure that allows one to manifest his or her mobility rights 6 unhindered. One can cross borders for travel, work, educational, or residential purposes. Otherwise, a person who lacks a nationality is stateless7 and is barred invariably from entering or remaining in other countries. Article 15 of the UDHR reflects the above safeguards. It enunciates three components of the right to nationality. Each individual is entitled to have a 1. G.A. Res. 217 (III) A, Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Dec. 10, 1948) [hereinafter UDHR]. 2. Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Questions, 1948-49 Y.B. on H.R. 535, U.N. Sales No. 1950.I.II. 3. Id. 4. Id. 5. Id. at art. 13(1). 6. Id. at art. 13(2). 7. Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons, Sept. 28, 1954, 360 U.N.T.S 117 (entered into force June 6, 1960) [hereinafter 1954 Stateless Convention] (“For the purpose of this Convention, the term “stateless person” means a person who is not considered as a national by any State under the operation of its law.”).