For instance, arbitrary deprivation of nationality may take the form of collective denial or withdrawal of nationality on ethnic or religious grounds, or that of individual denaturalisation for political reasons. In the ensuing discussion, participants on the basis of their individual competencies, made reference to specific groups of stateless persons including; populations such as the Bidoons, ethnic minorities such as the Kurds, migrant workers and refugee populations and in particular the situation of Palestinian refugees, throughout the region. The invited expert from UNRWA described the situations in which Palestinians are confronted with statelessness following the mass displacement in 1948. Palestinian refugees remained in Palestine, were displaced regionally or joined the international Diaspora. As the situation persisted, many remain stateless, while some have been given other nationalities. Emphasizing UNRWA´s protection mandate, it was underlined that statelessness in no way should prevent individuals from the enjoyment of their fundamental rights. Considering the difficulty in accessing accurate information however, UNRWA explained that a new system has been launched which will provide a more accurate picture regarding the situation of Palestinians across state lines and their level of access to and enjoyment of human rights. Participants added to the discussion and brought further light to the situation of Palestinian refugees and other stateless groups in the context of different country situations versus their acquisition of rights. A point was also raised to those situations of statelessness where individuals fall outside group categories. These situations may be more difficult to target by international actors and possibly more effectively assisted by states. The inherent difficulty however, was recognized, as the identification of both stateless groups and individuals, as they are unregistered by default and ultimately difficult to both identify and to quantify. Identification methodologies In the following deliberations, a number of proven and potential methodologies for identifying stateless populations and persons at risk of statelessness were raised. UNHCR described the experience that it has gained with survey techniques in other areas of the world and explained how similar efforts could be undertaken, in consultation with the relevant government(s), in MENA countries. It was underlined that states tend to be in favour of such measures as they are interested in knowing who is residing in their territory. Indeed, UNHCR and UNFPA have a Memorandum of Understanding stating that when technical assistance is provided to national authorities in the preparation of a census, this will include a call to capture information that will enable the identification of statelessness. In fact, all Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are conducting a population census over the course of 2010 and such a census could help to identify and quantify statelessness within a country’s borders. Further suggestions were also made for identification efforts within specific thematic contexts, such as identifying stateless persons and individuals at risk of statelessness, including among persons who have been 13