Foreword and other actors, to resolve major instances of statelessness, and to prevent new cases from emerging. The OSCE, as the world’s largest regional security organization under Chapter VIII of the UN Charter, has a specific interest in supporting such efforts. Statelessness is not only a serious human rights issue for the people affected and for society as a whole, but it can also lead to tensions within communities that need to be addressed. At the same time, the participation of stateless persons in public life and their inclusion in decision-making processes are fundamental elements of OSCE commitments and principles, and are critically important to peace and security. The OSCE participating States have made a number of commitments regarding the protection of stateless persons, the right to nationality, access to citizenship, civil registration and the provision of documents, among others. Through its Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM), the OSCE has been identifying difficult situations that stateless persons and affected groups find themselves in, and has been working with participating States to address these challenges. In recent years, key stakeholders in the UN system, relevant international, regional and non-governmental organizations, and civil society have built strong partnerships for joint advocacy, technical advice and operational support to reduce statelessness. The OSCE and UNHCR have also consolidated their co-operation. Numerous joint activities in Central Asia, South-Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus, and Eastern Europe have helped to call attention to the risks and consequences of statelessness and increase the willingness of States to address them. Based on the positive feedback from the OSCE-UNHCR Protection Checklist – Addressing Displacement and Protection of Displaced Populations and Affected Communities along the Conflict Cycle: A Collaborative Approach,1 our organizations decided to join forces again to develop this Handbook on Statelessness in the OSCE Area. This publication, which draws on the combined efforts of ODIHR, HCNM and UNHCR, highlights the complex and multifaceted human rights implications of statelessness, not only for affected individuals, families, and groups, but also for societies and States. The information and good practices presented in this Handbook are 6