CONCLUDING REMARKS ENDNOTES Concluding Remarks Endnotes 1 Statelessness is far-reaching and pervasive, adversely impacting all aspects of life for individuals and communities across the region, which carries forward intergenerationally. In conducting research for this report, we found statelessness to be not only a product of, but also a catalyst for discrimination. Our hope is that this encyclopedia will highlight and bring attention to the growing issue of statelessness in the Asia-Pacific region and serve as a roadmap for stakeholders working in the field. The aim of this report is to combine existing data and research on statelessness across the Asia-Pacific into a comprehensive overview of the ongoing situation of statelessness in the region. The lack of research and data on statelessness in the region, as such, is a clear limitation to knowledge production. Through our consultations, the scarcity of funding and resources, as well as the politicization of statehood was found to be a pervasive barrier to organizations working on statelessness. This report endeavors to invite further research and financial investment to support organizations working with individuals and communities experiencing statelessness. The rising disconnect between the existence of known stateless populations and figures of zero (or near zero) officially reported stateless persons needs to be ended by investing in better quantitative research. In addition, further qualitative research on the experiences of stateless persons would substantially improve public understanding of how statelessness is experienced across the region. Such research is crucial in highlighting the ways in which statelessness significantly impacts peoples’ lives and limits their access to fundamental rights. The first edition of the Statelessness Encyclopedia Asia Pacific (SEAP) represented the foundational research derived from NFA’s early organizational development and strategic planning. As a continuation of the first edition of SEAP, this second edition builds upon the first edition thematically and geographically to continue to fill gaps in existing research and bring greater transparency to the issue of statelessness in the Asia-Pacific region. Along with a deeper examination of all countries of the region, it showcases the obligations and pledges undertaken by countries, examining violations of human rights and highlighting the areas where countries and civil society could come together to prevent and end statelessness. 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 282 STATELESSNESS ENCYCLOPEDIA ASIA PACIFIC (DETAILED VERSION) See Regional Overview chapter. Ibid. “Global Trends: Forced Displacement in 2022.” “Global Appeal 2023,” UNHCR Global Focus, accessed December 28, 2023, https://reporting.unhcr.org/globalappeal-2023. See Regional Overview chapter. “Global Trends: Forced Displacement in 2022.” “Global Trends: Forced Displacement in 2022.” Lyanne Togiba and Michele Cheng, ‘Life in Limbo: The Manus Babies who Face a Stateless Future’, The Guardian (Online, 13 December 2018) <https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/dec/13/life-in-limbo-the-manus-babies-who-face-astateless-future>. “Global Refugee Forum,” The Global Compact on Refugees | UNHCR, accessed January 4, 2024, https:// globalcompactrefugees.org/global-refugee-forum. “Global Appeal 2023,” UNHCR Global Focus, accessed December 28, 2023, https://reporting.unhcr.org/globalappeal-2023. UNHCR, ‘Global Trends: Forced Displacement in 2021’ (June 2022) 42 <https://www.unhcr.org/62a9d1494/global-trendsreport-2021> Institute on Statelessness and Inclusion, ‘Statelessness in Numbers: 2020’ (Report, August 2020) <https://files.institutesi.org/ ISI_statistics_analysis_2020.pdf>. Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons, opened for signature 28 September 1954, 360 UNTS 117 (entered into force 6 June 1960). Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness, opened for signature 30 August 1961, 989 UNTS 175 (entered into force 13 December 1975). Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, opened for signature 28 July 1951, 198 UNTS 137 (entered into force 22 April 1954). Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees, opened for signature 31 January 1967, 606 UNTS 267 (entered into force 4 October 1967). International Covenant on economic, Social and Cultural Rights, opened for signature 16 December 1966, 993 UNTS 3 (entered into force 3 January 1976). International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, opened for signature 16 December 1966, 999 UNTS 171 (entered into force 23 March 1976). International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, opened for signature 7 March 1966, 6601 UNTS 195 (entered into force 4 January 1969). Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, opened for signature 18 December 1979, 1249 UNTS 13 (entered into force 3 September 1981). Convention on the Rights of the Child, opened for signature 20 November 1989, 1577 UNTS 3 (entered into force 2 September 1990). Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons, opened for signature 28 September 1954, 360 UNTS 117 (entered into force 6 June 1960). Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness, opened for signature 30 August 1961, 989 UNTS 175 (entered into force 13 December 1975). Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees, opened for signature 31 January 1967, 606 UNTS 267 (entered into force 4 October 1967). International Covenant on economic, Social and Cultural Rights, opened for signature 16 December 1966, 993 UNTS 3 (entered into force 3 January 1976). International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, opened for signature 16 December 1966, 999 UNTS 171 (entered into force 23 March 1976). International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, opened for signature 7 March 1966, 6601 UNTS 195 (entered into force 4 January 1969). Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, opened for signature 18 December 1979, 1249 UNTS 13 (entered into force 3 September 1981). Convention on the Rights of the Child, opened for signature 20 November 1989, 1577 UNTS 3 (entered into force 2 September 1990). Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons, opened for signature 28 September 1954, 360 UNTS 117 (entered into force 6 June 1960) art 1. UNHCR, ‘Persons at Risk of Statelessness in Serbia: Overview of the Current Situation and the Way Forward’ (November 2020) 11. UNHCR, ‘Guidelines on Statelessness No. 4: Ensuring Every Child’s Right to Acquire a Nationality through Articles 1-4 of the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness’ (21 December 2012) UN Doc HCR/GS/12/04, 6 n14. REPORT 2024 283