. Identification
re ention and reduction o state essness
experts, were deployed to assist individuals with the registration and application process.
In reducing statelessness, 4,000 stateless persons received Turkmen citizenship between 2007 and 2014, while over 6,000 more awaited naturalization
in 2015.
See UNHCR Good Practices Paper – Action 1: Resolving Existing Major Situations of
Statelessness, 2015, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/54e75a244.html
Statelessness determination procedures
It is not only beneficial for stateless persons but also in the interest of States
to establish statelessness determination procedures. Doing so enhances the
ability of States to fulfil their obligations under the 1954 Convention. Statelessness determination procedures also help governments assess the size
and profile of stateless populations on their territory so that they can determine the government services required. In addition, identifying stateless
persons can help prevent statelessness by revealing the root causes of and
new trends in statelessness.64
Determination procedures should be simple and efficient, building,
to the extent possible, on existing administrative procedures that establish
relevant facts. Some State practice has, for instance, integrated the determination of statelessness into procedures regulating residency rights. In
principle, statelessness determination procedures should be conducted on
an individual basis. Nevertheless, there may be occasions where determination of status on a group or prima facie basis may be appropriate, relying on
evidence that all members of the group satisfy the stateless person definition
in Article 1 of the 1954 Convention.65
The question of where to situate statelessness determination procedures institutionally is a matter of State discretion and can vary from one
country to the next. Regardless of where a statelessness determination procedure is placed within the State structure, it is recommended that States
provide specialized training on nationality laws and practices, international standards, and statelessness to the officials responsible for conducting
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