5 2. 3. The States Parties agree and recognize that: a. Every person has the right to a nationality; b. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived or denied recognition of his or her nationality nor denied the right to change his or her nationality; c. States shall take steps, individually and collectively, to eradicate statelessness and to ensure that every person has the right to the nationality of at least one state where he or she has an appropriate connection; d. In all actions undertaken by any person or authority concerning the nationality of a child, the best interests of the child shall be the primary consideration. The rules and practices of a State Party relating to nationality shall not include any discrimination based on race, ethnic group, colour, sex, language, religion, political or any other opinion, national or social origin, fortune, disability, birth or other status, except for public order rules and as provided in this Protocol. ARTICLE 4 Non-Discrimination 1. In determining the nationality of a child, the law shall not distinguish between those born in and out of wedlock, without prejudice to public order. 2. A State Party shall grant women and men equal rights to acquire, transmit, change or retain their nationality, and with respect to the nationality of their children in accordance with national law. 3. Notwithstanding the provisions in paragraph 1 of this Article, a State Party may preserve the right to make distinctions among its nationals, if at the time of signature, ratification or accession to this Protocol it specifies its retention of such right, for either of the following purposes, being provisions existing in its national law at that time: a. To limit access to functions and professions specifically designated by the State Party concerned to persons who were attributed its nationality at birth or who have exclusive nationality of that State; or b. To provide, subject to the provisions of Article 15 of this Protocol, for different criteria for deprivation of nationality from those nationals who were attributed nationality at birth and those who have acquired it later.