United Nations standards and guidance in the field of statelessness and nationality law 63. The 1954 Convention relating to the status of stateless persons contains two articles relevant to general nationality law. Most of the other articles are relating to the rights and obligations of stateless persons. Article 1 defines a stateless person: “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.” This important definition is also relevant for the interpretation of the term ‘stateless person’ in other international conventions. It is accepted as customary international law (see UNHCR Handbook, paragraphs 13-17). Article 32 of the 1954 Convention obliges the facilitation of the naturalization of stateless persons. Contracting states should make every effort to expedite naturalization proceedings and reduce as far as possible the charges and costs of such proceedings. 64. 96 states are parties to the 1954 Convention. Of the member states of the Council of Europe following 38 states acceded to this convention: Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom. Andorra, Cyprus, Estonia, Georgia, Poland, and San Marino have not yet acceded to this treaty. 65. No Council of Europe member states made a reservation related to Article 1 or 32. However, one member state reserved the right not to apply the convention on stateless persons who previously possessed an enemy nationality. 66. UNHCR delivered guidance on the interpretation and implementation in practice of the 1954 Convention by issuing the UNHCR Handbook on Protection of Stateless Persons. Paragraphs 7-56 deal with the concept of statelessness, Paragraphs 57-122 elaborate on statelessness determination procedures which should be in place according to UNHCR as an implicit obligation following from this treaty. 67. The 1961 Convention on the reduction of statelessness is completely dedicated to the right of otherwise stateless persons to acquire the nationality of a parent, respectively the right to acquire the nationality of the country of birth (Articles 1-4) and the restrictions of the rules on loss of nationality if this would cause statelessness (Articles 5-9). Only in very limited situations does the convention allow for states to deprive a person of her/his nationality, even if this would cause statelessness. 68. 77 states are parties to the 1961 Convention. Of the member states of the Council of Europe, the following 34 states acceded to this convention: Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Georgia, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Türkiye, Ukraine, and the United 22