MAPPING OF THE POPULATION AT RISK OF STATELESSNESS IN ALBANIA Albania has signed the Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons (1954) and the Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness (1961) and incorporated them into national law in 2003. The national Law on Foreigners includes a definition of a stateless person and foresees issuing residence permits to stateless persons, on humanitarian grounds. However, as there is currently no adequate procedure in place to determine statelessness, the provision for issuing residence permits is, in practice, not being used. - Key recommendations Any approach to prevent statelessness and ensure confirmation of nationality for those entitled to it, will inevitably involve a partnership between the State, international organisations (IOs), non-governmental organisations (NGOs), grassroots organisations and international cooperation. The process of civil registration and birth registration needs to be simplified and all relevant staff trained to carry it out efficiently and without discrimination. Any unduly onerous requirements around documentation should be simplified and costs to the applicant should be reduced and/or minimized. An efficient, computerized system of electronic birth registration, shared across all relevant institutions, departments and ministries, should be introduced. The following are the recommendations based on the findings of this report: International and regional obligations The Albanian Government should ensure that all international and regional obligations related to the right to nationality, prevention and reduction of statelessness, protection of stateless persons, non-discrimination, and birth registration are fully incorporated into domestic law and implemented in practice. The three key pieces of legislation in this regards are the Law on Citizenship, Law on Civil Status and Family Code. Birth registration The Albanian Government should take steps to reform law and practice that impedes the enjoyment of Albanian nationality, and safeguard every child’s right to a nationality, irrespective of the status, documentation, or actions of their parents. This means providing legal identity for all, including guaranteeing universal, free and immediate birth registration for every child irrespective of the parents’ status, documentation, or whether the child was born in a medical institution. Civil registration procedures The Albanian Government should ensure that all civil registration and documentation procedures, in- UNHCR - TLAS / May 2018 9