4. The European Network on Statelessness (ENS) 1 is a civil society alliance of NGOs, lawyers, academics, and other independent experts committed to addressing statelessness in Europe, with over 160 members in 41 European countries. ENS organises its work around three pillars – law and policy development, awarenessraising, and capacity-building. ENS provides expert advice and support to a range of stakeholders, including governments. 5. The Institute on Statelessness and Inclusion is an independent non-profit organisation committed to an integrated, human rights based response to the injustice of statelessness and exclusion through a combination of research, education, partnerships and advocacy. Established in August 2014, it is the first and only global centre committed to promoting the human rights of stateless persons and ending statelessness. The Institute has made over 70 country specific UPR submissions on the human rights of stateless persons, and also compiled summaries of the key human rights challenges related to statelessness in all countries under review under the 23rd to the 37th UPR Sessions.2 6. In addressing the main human rights challenges related to nationality and statelessness, this submission draws on information and analysis from the Statelessness Index on Hungary,3 maintained and developed by ENS and its members. The Index is an online comparative tool that assesses European countries’ law, policy, and practice on the protection of stateless people and the prevention and reduction of statelessness against international norms and good practice. Information on Hungary was also gathered through HHC’s practice and is included in the submission after consideration by the submitting organisations. This submission draws on the extensive work and research carried out by co-submitting organisations, including in previous joint submissions to the Universal Periodic Review.4 Previous UPR of Hungary under the First and Second Cycle First Cycle 7. During the first cycle, Ecuador recommended that Hungary “recognise and guarantee the human rights of all foreigners, independent and regardless of their migratory status.”5 While the recommendation is not directly relevant to addressing the issue of statelessness, Hungary incorrectly used the establishment of a formal stateless status in national legislation in its response to the recommendation and stated that it already protects the human rights of all. Hungary replied that it is “one of those few Member States of the European Union that provides protection in the form of a separate, autonomous legal status for […] stateless persons […] with this setting an example for other countries.”6 However, as the below sections further elaborate, Hungary has yet to 1 For more information about the European Network on Statelessness, see: www.statelessness.eu. For more information, see https://www.institutesi.org/core-activities/human-rights-advocacy. 3 See https://index.statelessness.eu/country/hungary 4 Hungarian Helsinki Committee, European Network on Statelessness and Institute on Statelessness and Inclusion, Joint Submission to the Human Rights Council at the 25th Session of the Universal Periodic Review: Hungary, 21 September 2015: https://files.institutesi.org/HungaryUPR2015.pdf. 5 UN General Assembly, Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review: Hungary, 18th Session, A/HRC/18/17, 11 July 2011, para. 95.28. 6 UN General Assembly, Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review: Hungary, Views on conclusions and/or recommendations, voluntary commitments and replies presented by the State under review, A/HRC/18/17/Add.1, 14 September 2011. 2 2