10 Actions to End Statelessness Action 5: PREVENT STATELESSNESS IN CASES OF STATE SUCCESSION (It is not possible to provide a Starting Point for this Action as it relates to events which have not occurred and which are difficult to predict.) MILESTONES GOAL BY 2024 - • No cases of statelessness due to future situations of State succession. CONTEXT Emergence of new States and transfers of territory between existing States (State succession) have led to mass statelessness on numerous occasions. At least 620,000 people remain stateless as a result of State succession within the last 30 years. State succession occurs where there is: • • • 18 Transfer of one part of the territory of a State to another State; Separation of part of the territory of a State and formation of one or more new States; or Dissolution of a State and formation of two or more States. UNHCR > In the case of separation or dissolution, although most individuals automatically become citizens of newly independent States when nationality legislation is adopted, large numbers can be left stateless. Migration movements before and at the time of independence as well as discrimination against marginalized ethnic and social groups may create particular risks of statelessness. Transfer of territory between States can have similar results. HOW CAN THIS ACTION BE IMPLEMENTED? Statelessness as a result of State succession can be prevented through a coordinated approach to nationality by the concerned States and implementation of simple safeguards in nationality laws. For example, upon transfer of territory from one State to another, the original nationality of the affected population may not be withdrawn unless it is clear that they have acquired the nationality of the other State involved. G LO B A L AC T I O N P L A N TO E N D S TAT E L E S S N E S S : 2 0 1 4 – 2 0 2 4