ACTION 2: Ensure that no child is born stateless The majority of the world’s stateless people have lacked any nationality since they were born. This is for two primary reasons: (a) their parents were stateless or (b) they were born in a country with a nationality law that does not confer its nationality on children, even if this means that they would be left stateless. Some children become stateless when they are born abroad, and their parents have a nationality but cannot confer it under the law of their State of nationality. Children may also become stateless when they have been abandoned or separated from their family and their nationality cannot be ascertained. Some children affected by these circumstances are refugees. Since 2014, 12 States have included provisions in their laws to grant nationality to children born in their territory who would otherwise be stateless: Albania, Armenia, Chile, Cuba, Estonia, Iceland, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Luxembourg, Moldova, Philippines, and Tajikistan. In addition, 16 States1 have introduced one of more safeguards against childhood statelessness, two States have included provisions in their laws to grant nationality to children of unknown origin found in their territory, and three States have enacted policy changes that grant nationality to children born abroad who would otherwise be stateless. Colombia’s policies help put “Children First” The ongoing Venezuela Situation – arising from economic collapse, discrimination and other severe hardships – has driven more than 7.7 million Venezuelans from their homes. In the neighboring country of Colombia, over 2.9 million Venezuelan refugees and migrants are seeking safety and opportunity. As part of its considerable protection measures to help Venezuelans in its territory, the Government of Colombia enacted the Primero la Niñez (Children First) initiative in 2019. It grants nationality to children born in Colombia to Venezuelan parents, some of whom would otherwise be stateless, and has retroactive effect from August 2015. This kind of mass displacement – in which families flee with almost nothing, including without documentation – can threaten inclusion in communities, as well as access to basic rights and services. The danger is especially acute for displaced minors, and even more so for children born as refugees or migrants. The initiative is designed to help prevent statelessness among a large, vulnerable population, and integrate children into Colombian society by providing them Colombian nationality and the documentation they need to receive health care and attend school. As of July 2024, the initiative has granted Colombian nationality to 110,549 children born to Venezuelan parents, helping safeguard a new generation. Recognizing and protecting foundlings in the Philippines The plight of children who have been abandoned, or whose parents cannot be located, is both heartbreaking and precarious. They face immense risks and uncertainties, including the possibility of statelessness if their parentage and nationality can’t be determined. These children are referred to as “foundlings” under international law. In May 2022, the Government of the Philippines adopted a new law to safeguard the rights and welfare of children who are found in the country or in its territory. This law, the Foundling Recognition and Protection Act, establishes these deserted children as Filipino citizens. Previously, foundlings were given certificates that didn’t indicate their citizenship, which could hinder access to essential rights and services. This new law affords these children the same government programs and opportunities that all other Filipino citizens enjoy. It is a major step toward the realization of the Philippines’ National Action Plan to End Statelessness, as well as progress for UNHCR’s Global Action Plan. Albania, Armenia, Bahamas, Chile, Cuba, Estonia, Iceland, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Luxembourg, Mexico, Moldova, Panama, Paraguay, Philippines, Tajikistan 1 #IBELONG 19