T H E I M P O RTA N C E O F I D E N T I F Y I N G STAT E L E SS P E R SO N S I t is important that States identify stateless people in their territory so that they can enjoy basic human rights, allowing them to live in dignity until their situation can be resolved through acquisition of a nationality. A stateless person is someone who is not considered a national by any State under the operation of its law. Stateless persons are entitled to rights under the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons (‘the 1954 Conven‑ tion’) and in accordance with applicable standards of international human rights law. The growing numbers of State Parties to the 1954 Convention reflects the recognition of this treaty as the main international instrument for the protec‑ tion of stateless persons. It is implicit in the 1954 Convention that States must identify stateless persons so as to provide them appropriate treatment, including secure residence and a range of rights. A statelessness determination procedure is a mechanism to do so. Only a small number of countries have established statelessness determina‑ tion procedures but there is growing interest around the world in introducing such mechanisms. This brochure explains when statelessness determination procedures are required. It also sets out what factors States should take into consideration when establishing such a procedure. S t a t e l e ss n e ss D e t e r m i n a t i o n P r o c e d u r e s 1