Professor Amara Pongsapich Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand Mr. Jean-Noël Wetterwald UNHCR Regional Coordinator for South East Asia “Human rights are inalienable rights of all peoples regardless of who they are or where they live. But in reality, human rights are guaranteed and effectively protected only when a person is legally recognized by a state. Unfortunately, a number of people are denied their inherent rights because they do not belong to any state. “Across South East Asia and around the world, states’ interest in statelessness and their commitment to finding solutions is growing. This was in evidence at the Regional Expert Roundtable on statelessness held in October 2010. With thirty years of experience working in the region, it was with great pleasure that I took part in this significant event. Statelessness is a common problem for countries in the Southeast Asian region. Each country has undertaken measures to address the problem and has made some good progress. This Roundtable provides a forum for academicians, experts and practitioners in the region to share their experiences in reducing and preventing statelessness and learn from one another some good practices which they can borrow, adapt and apply in their own countries. It is also an opportunity for us to identify remaining challenges and appropriate responses, as well as possible areas for cooperation at the regional level. The good practices presented at the Roundtable were rich in terms of both the variety and the inventiveness of initiatives. It is particularly encouraging to see the steps being taken to better identify problems of statelessness in the region. This is a necessary foundation for an informed and effective response. We hope that the Roundtable itself will have played a part in furthering the understanding of this phenomenon and inspiring further action. The discussion at the Roundtable was very optimistic and its outcome has been encouraging as participants saw the need to work individually and collectively to address the issue of statelessness. I hope the enthusiasm created at the Roundtable will be carried forward and contribute to the solution of statelessness in the region.” UNHCR’s mandate covers not only protecting refugees but also addressing statelessness. As we enter a year of commemorative activities relating to the international statelessness conventions, it is clear that statelessness is already very much on national and regional agendas. The sense of a shared vision and a shared commitment that came to light through the Roundtable discussions puts us in good stead in South East Asia for 2011 and beyond. We will redouble our efforts to support states and other stakeholders as they build upon the existing good practices and work together to address this important issue.” Photographs Cover: A young girl in Cambodia who has just received a birth certificate, providing her with proof of her identity, place of birth and parentage for the first time. Birth registration plays a critical part in preventing statelessness. [Plan Cambodia] Current page: Pictures taken during the Roundtable discussions. [UNHCR/Somkiat Insawa] Contents page (right): New Vietnamese citizen is surrounded by other formerly stateless people who all received their Vietnamese nationality in July 2010. They now have the all-important red “family books” and are keen to hear from him – a longtime community leader – about exactly what rights these confer. [UNHCR/K. McKinsey]