To implement this safeguard, States need to take steps to ascertain whether a child born on the territory and whose nationality is unclear has acquired the nationality of another State. If not, the State in which the child is born is required to grant its nationality so that the child is not left stateless. In accordance with the principle of the best interests of the child, it is recommended that States automatically grant their nationality to children in such situations. Nationality laws also require a safeguard to grant nationality to children born to nationals abroad who would otherwise be stateless. Another important provision to be included in nationality laws is the rule that foundlings (children of unknown parentage) are to be presumed to be nationals of the State in which they are found. In order to implement Action 2, it is important to improve birth registration to prevent statelessness among children, as envisaged under Action 7, and to ensure coordination between civil registration authorities and authorities responsible for nationality matters. How can UNHCR support? • • • • Raise awareness of the safeguards used to prevent statelessness among children and how these are to be implemented, including in the refugee context. Advocate and provide technical advice for the reform of nationality laws, policies and procedures, to permit children who would otherwise be stateless to acquire nationality. Work with UNICEF and civil society organizations active in the area of child rights to build awareness and disseminate information on preventing childhood statelessness. Explore other opportunities for joint action with UNICEF in line with theUNHCR-UNICEF Strategic • • • Collaboration Framework.25 Support initiatives by the legal community to ensure the grant of nationality to children who would otherwise be stateless, including through strategic litigation. Build the capacity of legal professionals and the justice sector on statelessness and nationality issues. Advocate for law and policy measures to enable children to access key health, education and other services while their nationality status is being resolved. Mobilize a broader engagement on ending childhood statelessness, including through the Global Alliance to End Statelessness. RELEVANT INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS • • • • • • Article 24, International Convent on Civil and Political Rights Article 7(1),(2) Convention on the Rights of the Child Articles 1,2,4 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness Article 18(2) Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Article 29 International Convention on the protection of the rights of all migrant workers and members of their families UN Human Rights Council, the Right to a Nationality: Women and Children, 16 July 2012, A/HRC/ RES/20/4 – entire document RELEVANT SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS • • • • SDG 3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. SDG 4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. SDG 10, Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action in this regard. SDG 16, Target 16.b: Promote and enforce non-discriminatory laws and policies for sustainable development. 25 In 2023 UNHCR and UNICEF signed a new Strategic Collaboration Framework, which also outlines key areas of collaboration to prevent and resolve childhood statelessness, inter alia, under the Framework. The framework commits both organizations to a series of goals on the inclusion of children in national systems – with specific commitments to education, child protection, water and sanitation, social protection and data, and the elimination of childhood statelessness, all by 2030. For more information, see here: https://www.unhcr.org/about-unhcr/ our-partners/un-and-international-institutions/international-organizations/unicef-unhcr. GLOBAL ACTION PLAN TO END STATELESSNESS 2.0 17