Other States have used non-automatic acquisition procedures. These include procedures where nationality is only acquired upon application (but where grant of nationality is non-discretionary) or naturalization (which is normally a discretionary procedure). Non-automatic procedures are generally a less effective way to resolve statelessness because they require the person concerned to apply for nationality. For various reasons, including lack of information about the right to apply and the related procedures, or due to problems of physical access or poverty, some stateless persons may not be able to benefit from such procedures. Naturalization procedures usually give government authorities the discretion to reject applicants and may in some cases also lead to unreasonable delays in the grant of nationality. States that are party to the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons are required to help stateless persons become naturalized citizens. They can do so, for example, by creating expedited procedures, charging low fees and reducing residence or other requirements.1 Where States are willing to end Statelessness but lack the capacity to do so, UNHCR can help, usually in coordination with national authorities and civil society, and sometimes regional organizations or UN partners. Such assistance could include: nn filling capacity gaps in administrative procedures nn raising awareness through public information campaigns nn providing legal advice to stateless individuals and guidance on how to access procedures nn supporting community outreach and mobile teams to ensure that stateless persons have access to nationality procedures and documents nn strengthening integration efforts, national-reconciliation activities and confidence-building initiatives Below are highlighted some key elements in the successful resolution of major situations of statelessness in certain countries. LAW OR POLICY REFORM ENABLING AUTOMATIC ACQUISITION OF NATIONALITY 1 2 nn Sri Lanka – statelessness following migration and State succession Stateless Hill Tamils acquired nationality through law reform. A concerted nationality campaign helped almost 200,000 members of the community to acquire proof of their new nationality. nn Bangladesh – statelessness following migration and State succession Statelessness among members of the Urdu-speaking, or “Bihari”, community was resolved after Government policy was changed to accommodate a High Court ruling that recognized this group as nationals. nn Kyrgyzstan – gradual resolution of statelessness following State succession Implementation of an innovative citizenship law has led to rapid progress in resolving statelessness among former Soviet citizens and more recent arrivals. See Article 32 of the Convention. CAMPAIGN TO END STATELESSNESS WITHIN 10 YE ARS