A Crimean Tatar “formerly deported person” receives counseling as part of a UNHCR information and legal advice project. UNHCR has worked with the Government of Ukraine and provided assistance to stateless individuals to prevent and reduce statelessness since the mid 1990s. UNHCR 68. Under article 11 of the 1961 Convention, UNHCR has a specific mandate to assist individuals. In fact, the UN General Assembly designated UNHCR as the body “to which a person claiming the benefit of this Convention may apply for the examination of his claim and for assistance in presenting it to the appropriate authority”. Indeed, UNHCR must intervene in such cases. 69. Where the State is a party to the 1961 Convention, relevant activities under article 11 include: • Publicizing UNHCR’s role, including through contacts with relevant State authorities, NGOs and lawyers’ networks; • Reaching out to individuals who Field Offices believe may have valid claims under the terms of the Convention; • Assessing the compatibility of the State’s legislation with its obligations under the 1961 Convention with relevance to the case; / E. LAUW ERS INDIVIDUAL CASES ) Article 11 of the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness • Raise awareness of UNHCR’s role • Assess compatibility of national legislation • Assist individuals who claim the benefit of the 1961 Convention • Present findings to authorities ) In States which are not party to 1961 Convention • Information and counseling • Interventions with authorities where deemed necessary, in particular regarding the prevention and reduction of statelessness ) Evaluate whether specific projects needed to act on situations of individuals • Assessing whether the individual falls under the scope of a relevant provision, e.g. whether or not a child would otherwise be stateless if not granted the nationality of the State in question; • Presenting findings to the individual concerned, the authorities or in court proceedings where necessary through amicus curiae briefs. 70. UNHCR Field Offices may also need to intervene to prevent or reduce statelessness in cases which are not related to the 1961 Convention because the State concerned is not a party or the issue is not addressed by the Convention. In such cases the first step is to explore links an individual has with any State based on birth on the territory, parentage, marriage, prolonged residence, or former nationality and to establish whether or not the person possesses one of these States’ nationalities or can possibly obtain one. Individuals should be provided with advice to that effect as well as information and counseling on relevant procedures for acquisition/confirmation of nationality or establishment of statelessness status. If necessary, UNHCR may intervene with (consular) authorities to obtain relevant information and advocate for confirmation/ 18