Size of the Stateless Population 18. As at 2017, based on data provided by the Government of Brunei Darussalam to UNHCR, there were 20,524 stateless persons in the country.20 This is a significant proportion of Brunei Darussalam’s recorded population in 2017 of 421,300.21 19. UNHCR has reported similar figures of stateless persons in Brunei Darussalam since 2012, when it first started receiving such data from the Government of Brunei Darussalam.22 This suggests that there has been little effort to address statelessness in the country over the review period. 20. The profiles and characteristics of the populations included within the reported 20,524 stateless persons is not publicly available. The lack of transparency and information on how this figure was arrived at and the different profiles of persons affected by statelessness in the country is of concern. Without better information, it would be difficult to develop policies to address statelessness in the country, or to monitor progress in this regard. 21. When considering the potential size of the stateless population in the country, it must be noted that there are also significantly larger estimates that have been put forward by other groups. For example, according to the U.S. Government’s 2012 Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Brunei Darussalam, “unofficial sources counted” the size of the stateless population to be closer to 150,000 people.23 22. The significant discrepancy between these two estimates – particularly when set against the size of the total population of Brunei Darussalam – is indicative of why accurate statistical information on this issue is so important. 23. Notwithstanding these gaps in information, the remainder of this submission explores the publicly available information as to the profiles of the populations that are known to be stateless or at risk of statelessness in Brunei Darussalam. However, due to the paucity of available data and analysis as to statelessness in Brunei Darussalam, there may indeed be additional populations and additional causes of statelessness that are not considered in this submission. 24. Additionally, limited civil society engagement as to the issue of statelessness is a barrier to further understanding the causes and consequences of statelessness and cross-referencing the accuracy of the publicly available information. Limitations on the right to freedom of information, opinion and expression in Brunei Darussalam is likely to contribute to limited engagement by civil society in this issue. 20 UNHCR, Global Trends: Forced Displacement in 2017 (25 June 2018), Annex Table 1 <http://www.unhcr.org/5b27be547.pdf>. 21 Brunei Darussalam Department of Economic Planning and Development (2017) <http://www.depd.gov.bn/SitePages/Population.aspx>. 22 See UNHCR, Global Trends 2012-2017, <http://www.unhcr.org/search?comid=56b079c44&&cid=49aea93aba&tags=globaltrends>; UNHCR, ‘Universal Periodic Review : Brunei Darussalam’, Submission for the OHCHR’s Compilation Report – Universal Periodic Review : Brunei Darussalam, September 2013, 1 [2] <http://www.refworld.org/cgibin/texis/vtx/rwmain?page=country&docid=528346844&skip=0&coi=BRN&querysi=stateless&searchin=fulltext&sort=date >.. 23 U.S. Department of State, 2012 Country Report on Human Rights Practices: Brunei Darussalam (19 April 2013), 9 <https://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2012/eap/204188.htm>. 4