FOREWORD ‘Invisible’ characterizes what it is like to be one of the estimated 10 million stateless persons worldwide. They are unable to access education, healthcare, employment and do not have the right to marry. These are some of the basic rights and services we often take for granted. For the past seven years, South Sudan’s Nationality Regulations has set the criteria and procedures for acquiring citizenship and obtaining nationality documents. Nevertheless, the risk of statelessness in South Sudan remains. Largely due to state succession, the lack of funds, widespread displacement, legislative loop holes and limited awareness on the importance of birth registration and nationality documentation many in South Sudan are still at risk of statelessness. This Study provides a comprehensive stock-taking on the existing conditions that contribute to the risks of statelessness in South Sudan and serves as a guiding tool for key stakeholders, to effectively address statelessness. From 2012 until now, UNHCR has assisted more than 12,000 individuals to obtain nationality certificates. UNHCR will continue to advocate with the State and national authorities of South Sudan to ratify the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons and the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Stateless. UNHCR will continue to provide assistance to the Ministry of Interior and the Directorate of Nationality, Passports and Immigration based on the findings and recommendations of the Study. This Study is an important milestone in the process of ending statelessness in South Sudan. I would like to thank the Directorate of Nationality, Passports and Immigration of South Sudan and Forcier Consulting Group for making this Study possible. Johann Siffointe UNHCR Representative in South Sudan 10 June 2018 0

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