Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction to statelessness .............................................................................................. 6
1.1 Nationality ..................................................................................................................................... 7
1.2 Definition(s) of statelessness......................................................................................................... 7
1.3 De-mystifying statelessness ......................................................................................................... 9
1.4 UNHCR’s statelessness mandate ............................................................................................... 12
1.5 Statelessness and other persons of concern to UNHCR ........................................................... 14
Chapter 2: Causes of statelessness .................................................................................................... 18
2.1 The attribution of nationality........................................................................................................ 18
2.2 Discrimination, denationalization and statelessness .................................................................. 20
2.3 Statelessness at birth .................................................................................................................. 22
2.4 Statelessness upon a change of civil status (e.g. adoption, marriage and divorce) ................... 24
2.5 Statelessness upon a change of nationality ............................................................................... 25
2.6 Statelessness in the event of international migration or forced displacement ........................... 26
2.7 State succession and statelessness ........................................................................................... 27
Chapter 3: Consequences of statelessness ....................................................................................... 30
3.1 The impact on the individual and the family ............................................................................... 31
3.2 The impact on society and the state ........................................................................................... 35
3.3 The impact on the international community................................................................................ 37
Chapter 4: The international response to statelessness ................................................................... 38
4.1 Historical overview ...................................................................................................................... 39
4.2 International legal framework ...................................................................................................... 40
4.3 UNHCR and statelessness.......................................................................................................... 46
4.4 Working in partnership ................................................................................................................ 47
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