3. Determination of
statelessness and rights
attached to the status
3.1 Introduction
As noted in Chapter 1.3.1, a stateless person is defined in Article 1(1) of the 1954 Convention as “a person who
is not considered as a national by any State under the operation of its law.” This definition identifies the
persons who are entitled to the core protections of the 1954 Convention, with additional convention rights
depending on the individual’s residence status, as discussed below. While ultimately only the acquisition of
a nationality will end a person’s statelessness, in situations where this is not yet possible, it is necessary to
protect stateless persons. A formal statelessness determination procedure makes it possible to identify those
persons who are entitled to the protection regime of the 1954 Convention.
For a statelessness determination procedure to be fair and efficient, a number of procedural safeguards
must be taken into consideration. The procedure must be accessible for stateless persons,105 and while the
procedure is underway, applicants should be entitled to certain rights.106 During the procedure, stateless
persons may not be detained for reasons relating to their statelessness. Where they are detained, it must
be a measure of last resort and the person may not be held with convicted criminals or individuals awaiting
trial.107 Moreover, pending the outcome of the procedure, the applicant may not be expelled from the State
where the procedure is ongoing.108
The 1954 Convention guarantees rights to stateless persons on a gradual, conditional scale, with some
protections applicable to all stateless persons and others dependent on the precise legal status of the
individual.109 When a person’s statelessness has been determined, he or she is entitled to the core rights of
the 1954 Convention.110 In the first place, this means granting the right of residence, which is not explicitly set
forth in the 1954 Convention, but follows from its object and purpose.111 Also, stateless persons have a right
to work, based on Article 17 of the 1954 Convention. Apart from the 1954 Convention, other instruments also
provide content to the protection of stateless persons. Human rights law instruments, including the ICCPR,
28
105
UNHCR Handbook on Protection of Stateless Persons, paras. 68-70.
106
Ibid, paras. 144-146.
107
Ibid, paras. 112-115.
108
Ibid, paras. 72 and 145.
109
For a detailed discussion, see ibid, paras. 132-139. See also ibid, paras 14 and 16 (on the status of a stateless person and attendant
rights even prior to a formal determination of his or her statelessness).
110
Some convention rights apply to all stateless persons in a state’s territory or otherwise subject to the state’s jurisdiction. Others
are dependent upon factors such as the type of residence the individual holds. See ibid.
111
Ibid, para. 147.
M A P P I N G STAT E L E S S N E S S I N N O RWAY