Leaving No One Behind: Statelessness and the Sustainable Development Goals Denial of nationality to certain groups has been at the centre of conflict in many places in Africa, including, for example, the Democratic Republic of Congo as well as Côte d’Ivoire.141 Cross-border displacement is often among the consequences of such conflict. The UN Security Council has recognized the threat to regional peace and security caused by Myanmar’s denial of nationality, persecution and expulsion of the Rohingya population, which has contributed to chronic internal conflict, as well as creating security challenges for Bangladesh and other countries in the region.142 Statelessness is thus also a concern for international peace and security. As noted by the UN Commission on Human Security: The wilful denial of citizenship for whole communities has major implications for other states, due to the potential large-scale population movements and the spread of conflict and poverty. Therefore, there is a legitimate multilateral interest in preventing the downside impacts of citizenship denied.143 3.6 Cross-cutting themes: non-discrimination, the rule of law and legal identity Non-discrimination & equality SDG5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls SDG10: Reduce inequality within and among countries Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status. Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action in this regard. SDG16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels Target 16.b: Promote and enforce non-discriminatory laws and policies for sustainable development. 141. Among much other literature, see: Said Adejumobi, “Citizenship, rights and the problem of conflicts and civil wars in Africa”, Human Rights Quarterly 23, No. 1 (2001): 148–70, https://doi.org/10.1353/hrq.2001.0001; V. Adefemi Isumonah, “Migration, land tenure, citizenship and communal conflicts in Africa”, Nationalism and Ethnic Politics 9, No. 1 (2003): 1–19; Georges Nzongola-Ntalaja, “Citizenship, political violence, and democratization in Africa”, Global Governance: A Review of Multilateralism and International Organizations 10, No. 4 (2004): 403–9; Arnim Langer, “Horizontal inequalities and violent conflict: Côte d’Ivoire country paper”, Occasional Paper (New York: UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2005); Koen Vlassenroot, “Citizenship, identity formation & conflict in South Kivu: the case of the Banyamulenge”, Review of African Political Economy 29, No. 93–94 (2002): 499–516; Kerry Maze, “Land conflict, migration, and citizenship in West Africa: complex diversity and recurring challenges” (Washington, D.C.: World Bank, 2015), https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/22516; Jason Stearns, North Kivu: The Background to Conflict in North Kivu Province of Eastern Congo (London: Rift Valley Institute, 2012); Anne Christine Fruge, “Violence and belonging: the impact of citizenship law on violence in Sub-Saharan Africa” (PhD, College Park, MD, University of Maryland, 2016), https://drum.lib.umd.edu/handle/1903/19295; Bronwen Manby, Citizenship in Africa: The Law of Belonging (Oxford: Hart Publishing, 2018). 142. UN Security Council Resolution S/RES/2669 (2022), 21 December 2022 (state of emergency imposed by themilitary in Myanmar) www. securitycouncilreport.org/un-documents/document/s-res-2669.php. 143. UN Commission on Human Security, Human Security Now, 32. 40