to ensure the confirmation or re-acquisition of nationality and issuance of appropriate documentation for returning populations. Status and documentation of stateless persons An uncertain or insecure legal status and difficulties accessing personal documentation are problems that plague stateless populations the world over. The MENA region is no exception, since most countries have no special determination procedures or status for stateless persons. As a result, stateless persons are dealt with simply under those laws that apply to other non-nationals or through a variety of ad hoc measures. This means that stateless persons are commonly subjected to the terms of a state’s immigration law, with their status dependent on whether they can fulfil the criteria set for non-nationals generally rather than on their condition of statelessness. As a result, it may be difficult for stateless persons to obtain residence permits and their treatment will be affected accordingly. A number of countries do have policies in place that benefit some stateless persons. For instance, both United Arab Emirates and Qatar make special allowances for children whose mothers hold their citizenship by providing residence plus various other privileges. This policy will benefit some stateless children in the two countries. In addition, a handful of MENA states have adopted more specific, yet still largely ad hoc rather than legally embedded, policies towards particular stateless populations within their borders which allows for some improvement in their protection situation. To that end, their treatment can be considered to be somewhere between that accorded to citizen and other categories of noncitizens. For instance, in Saudi Arabia stateless Bidoon are issued five-year residence permits. This tendency towards an ad hoc response to statelessness has contributed to the problems encountered by stateless populations in the region in acquiring appropriate personal documentation. Without a procedure to determine their status – or without recognition of a special status at all – stateless persons may be unable to acquire identity documents that reflect their situation as stateless persons or indeed any documentation at all. Access to travel documents is especially problematic. However, there are examples whereby a state has facilitated international travel and assured the right to return for stateless persons residing within their territory. Syria offers travel documents to Palestinians on much the same terms as to the country’s own nationals. This model could be applied to other stateless populations in the region. The 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons also provides a legal framework for the issuance and recognition of travel documents for individuals who are stateless. Protection concerns of stateless persons A number of MENA states provide their citizens with extensive rights and privileges, from free education and healthcare to interest-free home loans. Nationality is the ticket to these benefits, to the exclusion of the stateless. Where stateless persons lack a secure legal status or 25