A Study of Statelessness in South Sudan - 2017 · · · · · · · Ensure access to nationality of marginalised ethnic groups, nomadic populations, and trans-boundary populations residing in the territory of South Sudan, given their habitual residence in, and socio-economic and cultural ties to South Sudan; Cease requesting blood groups as part of the application for issuance of nationality certificates since this is not required by law; Recognise marriage certificates issued by traditional justice structures, as provided for in the 2011 Transitional Constitution, during naturalisation applications of persons married to South Sudanese nationals; Organise regular mandatory training for DNPI officers on the implementation of the 2011 Nationality Act and Regulations, and ensure that copies of the legislation are available in each of the DNPI offices; Support the development of standard operating procedures that could take the form of interpretative circulars and check-lists on eligibility requirements for field officers for the adequate, lawful, and consistent implementation of the 2011 Nationality Act and Regulations throughout the country; Combat irregularities by ensuring public awareness and transparency on application procedures for nationality certification, establishing or reinforcing strict disciplinary and integrity procedures, and assessing the potential for the payment of fees through mobile money; Reduce and harmonize fees throughout the country for the issuance of nationality certificates to reflect the economic reality of South Sudan and ensure adequate accessibility, and provide additional support for certain vulnerable groups (such as people with disabilities, femaleheaded households, internally displaced persons, etc.) to meet these fees, with · · · · the assistance of the Social Welfare Department; Recognise the specific challenges faced by internally displaced persons, refugees, and returnees in securing relevant witnesses in the nationality certificate application procedure, and propose flexible alternatives to facilitate displaced persons’ applications for nationality certificates; In cooperation with CSOs and religious institutions, organise mass information campaigns in multiple languages on the importance of nationality documentation and the application procedures for the issuance of nationality certificates, through a variety of channels including radio, theatre, television, posters, and traditional community and religious structures, ensuring that rural areas are reached by the campaign; Schedule visits of mobile teams to remote locations throughout South Sudan to process applications for nationality certificates, preceded by appropriate aforementioned awareness raising sessions; Investigate the potential for a restructuring of the DNPI to move away from a centralised structure, facilitating the issuance of nationality certificates at the state level. Recommendations to UNHCR: · · Advocate for the accession of South Sudan to the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons and the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness as per the commitments adopted by South Sudan in the 2017 ICGLR Declaration and Regional Action Plan on the eradication of statelessness; Raise awareness on the concept of 41