Nationality and Cases of Statelessness in the Middle East and North Africa difficult process of restoring their citizenship.190 Such complaints are rejected by governmental officials who state that the capacity of the government is so limited, that it cannot search for evidence on behalf of those who want to obtain citizenship. A Yemeni judge had also interpreted the burden of the proof on the applicant with reference to an Islamic principle “the proof falls on the shoulder of the claimant”.191 The government of Yemen, however, made some legislative reforms over the last decade to facilitate the acquisition of the Yemeni nationality via amending nationality legislation of 1990.192 This has been seen as a good step forward and it is expected to be followed by further legislative reforms in the upcoming constitutional reform in Yemen, which was expected by 2014.193 It is important to keep in mind that successfully safeguarding the enjoyment of a nationality and the avoidance of statelessness can be achieved through substantive reform but can also be facilitated through a review of procedural questions relating to nationality. 190 - A group discussion with some refugees, lawyers and stateless persons held on 24th of September 2012. 191 - Justice Jamal Alhubaishi, Focus Group Discussion on stateless persons held on 24th of September 2012 192 - Yemen passed three amendments to its nationality law between 2003 and 2010 to facilitate acquisition of Yemeni nationality. 193 - An interview with Mr. Anis Abdalla Alaqraby, Saba News Agency, conducted on the 2nd of July 2012. 144