Nationality and Cases of Statelessness in the Middle East and North Africa Although every country’s nationality law is unique in its details, the overall mechanics are largely similar and all share certain common features. Understanding the general system of nationality laws therefore simplifies the process of reading, analysing and comparing their content. First of all, it is helpful to realise that the conferral – and withdrawal – of nationality is based on the existence – or presumed severing – of a link between the person and the state. The two principal connections that underlie nationality policy are familial (i.e. a family member is already a national) and territorial (i.e. birth or longterm residence within the borders of the state). Criteria based on different combinations and permutations of these two links can be found in every nationality law in the world. Secondly, many nationality laws also include other criteria that are deemed to represent “belonging”, including racial, cultural, religious or linguistic conditions.98 A third common feature of nationality laws are those stipulations that relate to the desired quality or expected behaviour of the state’s nationals. In other words, concepts such as good behaviour, honesty, loyalty and allegiance have made their way into both provisions relating to acquisition of nationality (e.g. naturalisation criteria) and those dealing with the withdrawal of nationality 98 - Note that some criteria of this nature may now be considered to violate international standards of non-discrimination. 80