Concerned at the permanent nature of the measure of deprivation of nationality, and its potential for
being unnecessary, without legitimate purpose, disproportionate, discriminatory, arbitrary and
unlawful, while at the same time being ineffective and subject to abuse;
Equally concerned that the deprivation of nationality can entail or facilitate other violations of
international law, affecting both the person deprived and connected persons including children,
impairing access to a wide range of civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights, including: denial
of the right to enter and remain in one’s own country; discrimination; refoulement; torture, cruel,
inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; deprivation of liberty and security of the person; denial
of access to education, healthcare and housing; denial of legal personhood; denial of private and family
life; denial of access to justice; and denial of the right to an effective remedy;
Affirming that the prohibition of racial discrimination is a peremptory norm of international law, and
noting that prevailing national laws and practices of deprivation of nationality are likely to
disproportionately target members of minority or marginalised communities;
Recognising that international law prohibits the expulsion of nationals, as a measure which undermines
international cooperation and the national sovereignty of other States, and emphasizing that it is not a
legitimate purpose to deprive nationality in order to effect expulsion;
Recognising that under relevant UN Security Council, Human Rights Council and General Assembly
Resolutions, States are required and called upon to address threats to international peace and security,
in a manner consistent with international human rights law, international humanitarian law and
international refugee law, and through a comprehensive approach that addresses underlying factors
which can be conducive to terrorism, including by promoting political and religious tolerance, good
governance, economic development, and social cohesion and full national inclusion;
These Principles restate international law, reflect existing standards and draw on practices that guide
and limit State power to deprive persons of their nationality as a purported counter-terrorism and
national security measure.
1. Scope of application, sources & interpretation
1.1.
Scope of application
1.1.1. These Principles apply to all situations in which States take or consider taking steps to
deprive a person of nationality as a national security measure.
1.1.2. Any existing or proposed national legal provisions which provide for the deprivation of
nationality for the purpose of safeguarding national security should fully comply with
international law standards as set out in these Principles.
1.1.3. The Principles are also relevant in the interpretation and application of international law to
other situations of deprivation of nationality.
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