4, ADDRESSING STATELESSNESS THROUGH THE RIGHTS TO EQUALITY AND NON-DISCRIMINATION Finally, positive action to address structural disadvantage should continue even after statelessness has been “solved”. Studies conducted in Sri Lanka show that the hill country Tamils of Indian origin - a group whose statelessness has largely been resolved over the past decade are still the most disadvantaged group in the country.°® Such studies are evidence that solving statelessness and ensuring equality are two different things, and that while the former certainly helps with the latter, it does not guarantee it. Therefore, the positive action obligation should endure beyond “solving statelessness” and should serve to promote real equality, inclusion and the enjoyment of rights. In summary, the effective application of the equality framework is an important solution to statelessness and its effects. Grounded in international human rights obligations, its relevance is clear; the framework not only requires States not to discriminate against individuals in ways which may lead to statelessness, but also imposes certain positive duties on them to identify and tackle discrimination by individuals against stateless persons. In addition, in order to ensure the full equality of stateless persons, States must take positive action to rectify the disadvantage they suffer by identifying the particular needs of the stateless population and taking measures to meet them. 4. Practical applications of the legal framework on equality As indicated above, the legal framework on equality provides important protection both for the prevention of statelessness and against some of the impacts of statelessness. In this section, we look at the use of litigation and of international mechanisms as fora through which the legal framework on equality can be applied to protect stateless persons and even solve statelessness. These two examples are merely a snapshot of some of the possibilities, and should not be seen in isolation. Indeed, it is comprehensive and integrated strategies which attack the issue from many perspectives and using multiple frameworks that are most likely to succeed in bringing about change. So, for example, while advocacy for law and policy change, which is grounded in principles of equality and non-discrimination, or awareness raising and sensitisation to break down prejudices and 8 A.H. Ilyas, “Estate Tamils of Sri Lanka a socio-economic review”, International Journal of Sociology and Anthropology 2014, vol 6(6), pp.184-191. 118