Nevertheless, even if the number of individuals directly impacted by nationality deprivation is relatively limited and powers brought in remain unused in some states, the resurgence of citizenship stripping has a corrosive effect on the most fundamental legal status one can obtain: a nationality, which is also protected as a human right. Instrumentalising citizenship in the fight against terrorism risks normalising denationalisation as a legitimate power for states to hold over their citizens, with a knock-on impact for efforts internationally to protect right to nationality and prevent statelessness. In an era of rising authoritarianism, growth of the security state, and increasing populism, xenophobia and racism, citizenship is under threat in countries around the globe in ways not seen for generations. As more states treat nationality as a privilege that can be taken away at the discretion of the government, the prospect for successfully protecting against arbitrary deprivation of nationality – as provided for under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – is progressively eroded. It is imperative to call a moratorium on the use of citizenship stripping in the fight against terrorism. It is time for those states that recognise nationality as a right to lead the way in challenging the post 9/11 expansion of nationality deprivation powers and for states that have these powers on their books to urgently reconsider the appropriateness of instrumentalising citizenship stripping as a security measure. The widely endorsed Principles on Deprivation of Nationality as a National Security Measure and their accompanying Commentary provide a framework to guide states on how they can effectively navigate this issue, in line with their international obligations. ENDNOTES 1 D. Malet, ‘ISIS Foreign Fighters: Keep Your Enemies Closer’, Australian Outlook (28 February 2019), available at: https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/ isis-foreign-fighters-keep-enemies-closer/. 2 ‘Open Letter from National Security Professionals to Western Governments: Unless We Act Now, the Islamic State Will Rise Again’, (11 September 2019) available at: https:// thesoufancenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/FTF-Open-Letter.pdf. 39