• How is nationality lost? Is prevention of statelessness foreseen? • Is the renunciation of nationality conditional upon the acquisition, or guarantee of acquiring, another nationality? • Does the application for naturalization in a foreign country alter the nationality status of an individual if the person concerned has not received any guarantee of acquiring the other nationality? • In cases where deprivation of nationality is foreseen, are the reasons for deprivation clearly defined? Are there procedural guarantees in place? On RECOVERY of nationality • Is recovery of nationality facilitated for former nationals who are lawfully and habitually resident on the State’s territory? • Can a previously held nationality be restored for someone who loses the acquired nationality because of a change in marital or other status? If so, will restoration take place automatically or must the person apply while he/she is stateless? Are there procedural guarantees in place? On NATURALIZATION • If a foreigner applies for naturalization, is he/she requested to prove the formal renunciation of a previous nationality? Or is the guarantee that he/she will be released from a previous nationality upon acquisition of a new nationality sufficient? • Are the process of naturalization and requirements for naturalization clearly defined? • Are there any administrative practices – such as lengthy procedures, excessive fees, requests for documents that the applicant cannot produce, and/or short deadlines that the applicant cannot meet – that can result in statelessness? Why should States accede to the 1954 Convention regarding the Status of Stateless Persons and the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness? At the national level, acceding to the 1954 and 1961 Conventions on statelessness: • enhances the human rights protection and dignity of individuals. • demonstrates recognition of the genuine and effective link between individuals and the State. • improves the sense of stability and legal identity for individuals in statelessness situations. • gives individuals access to national protection, both duties and rights; and • bolsters national solidarity and stability. At the international level, acceding to the 1954 and 1961 Conventions on statelessness: • demonstrates a commitment to cooperate with the international community in reducing and eliminating statelessness. • strengthens international prohibitions against individual or mass expulsions. • improves international relations and stability. 49