The tragic outbreak of violence in southern Kyrgyzstan in June 2010 both increased the number of people at risk of becoming stateless and led to a deterioration in the situation of others who had faced prior citizenship problems: the identity documents of thousands of people were lost or burnt, while many de-jure Kyrgyz nationals were left without a real opportunity to obtain new passports. In its emergency response the UN Refugee Agency quickly assisted in the creation of mobile registration groups in which officers of the passport and civil registration departments of the State Registration Services, together with civil society lawyers, assisted effected communities. By the end of 2010, such mobile teams had already helped over 900 people to restore identity documents. While UNHCR partners continue providing individual legal assistance to stateless people and those at risk of becoming stateless in villages or urban neighbourhoods, the implementation of other important recommendations of the National Action Plan and the Regional Conference will require attention by the Parliament and the Government. We hope that this publication will assist Kyrgyzstan also in progressing in its accession to the 1954 Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons and the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness. As the analyses demonstrate, and considering the Kyrgyz Republic’s comparatively advanced respective legislation and practice, this goal is in easy attainable. The 50th anniversary of the 1961 Convention, culminating in a Global Ministerial Meeting and Accession Pledging event in early December 2011 in Geneva, can promote the commencement, if not conclusion of accession. Stateless people, those at risk of becoming stateless and all women, children and men, who because of documentation problems cannot enjoy their rights and duties as humans and citizens, need attention and support. Clarifying and properly documenting their legal status is a first and vital step to the solution of their problems. This publication contains a number of important observations and recommendations on how legislation and practice in Kyrgyzstan could be further improved to reach that aim. UNHCR remains strongly committed to supporting this process. Hans Friedrich Schodder Representative of the UNHCR in the Kyrgyz Republic