84 COLUM. J. RACE & L. [Vol. 11:83 larger and vital questions about race, nationality, and statelessness—matters that are historically pertinent and have profound ongoing relevance. The Article provides a principled, doctrinal interpretive framework within which to “read down” the problematic Article 1(3) so that the ICERD may be invoked to combat racially discriminatory nationality laws. The clarification and articulation of legal norms around Article 1(3), and a justification for its narrow interpretation, add to the existing legal tools for combatting discriminatory citizenship deprivation and denial and narrowing the boundaries of state discretion. I. Introduction........................................................................ 85 II. Racial Discrimination and Nationality Laws .................. 89 III. Nationality Matters: Between State Sovereignty and Human Rights ......................................................... 97 IV. Article 1(3): History and Current Approaches.............. 107 A. The Drafting History of Article 1(3) of ICERD ...... 108 B. Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and Article 1(3): Toward a Justification............................................ 114 V. Jus Cogens as an Interpretive Principle in the Context of Racial Discrimination and Nationality Practice...... 127 A. Impact of Conflict with a Jus Cogens Norm .......... 128 B. Content of the Jus Cogens Norm of Racial Non-Discrimination................................................ 131 VI. Toward a Principled Interpretation of Article 1(3)....... 140 VII. Conclusion .................................................................... 145