KEY FINDINGS These key findings from UNHCR’s consultations in 2017 relate to both causes and impacts of statelessness among the minority groups consulted. They illustrate that the two can be closely related to each other (e.g., discrimination and lack of documentation can be both causes and consequences of statelessness). D i s crim in ation Lack of docume ntat io n P ov e rty F ear “People tell us to go back to Mumbai. But we don’t know Mumbai. We were born here.” “They [the authorities] didn’t explain things to me, they just asked for documents that I didn’t have.” “The biggest problem is the poverty caused by my statelessness. A stateless person cannot own property. I feel belittled and disgraced by the situation that I am in.” “They [police] know what we do, where we go. They ask for our I.D.s, when we say we don’t have any, we are arrested and beaten.” —Nassir Hassan, 48, Karana community, Madagascar —Haidar Osmani, 54, ethnic Albanian community, THE Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia —Shaame Hamisi, 55, Pemba community, Kenya —Ajnur Demir, 26, Roma community, THE Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Discrimination and exclusion of ethnic, religious or linguistic minority groups often lies at the heart of their statelessness. At the same time, their statelessness can lead to further discrimination, both in law and in practice. According to those consulted, discriminatory attitudes are apparent in interactions with the authorities and their fellow countrymen and women. They also report that discrimination degrades their communities, stopping them from being viewed as equal human beings, deserving of the same rights and levels of respect. Discrimination also contributes to poverty and difficulties in accessing education, health care, and other state services. Discrimination against the stateless minorities consulted manifests itself most clearly in their attempts to access documentation needed to prove their nationality or their entitlement to nationality, such as a national identity document (I.D.) or a birth certificate. Lack of such documentary proof can result in a vicious circle, where authorities refuse to recognize an otherwise valid claim to nationality. In some cases, minority groups find it impossible to meet the legal requirements necessary to acquire a national I.D. - typically, proof of having been born in the country of residence to a parent of the same nationality (e.g., a birth certificate). Even where the law specifies that all births on a territory are to be registered, lack of knowledge of such laws can lead some authorities to deny registration to minority groups viewed as foreigners. Other forms of discrimination range from arbitrary refusal to provide or renew documents; hostile treatment; or exploitation by authorities issuing documentation. All of this leads to many having to make repeated appointments, pay onerous fees and wait for unduly long periods of time for a response to their document applications. Most individuals consulted had made multiple attempts to acquire a birth certificate or national I.D. Without any means to prove their nationality or entitlement to citizenship, they are often excluded from benefits such as public health services and social assistance available to citizens. Because of their statelessness and lack of documentation, the groups consulted are typically excluded from accessing legal or sustainable employment, or obtaining the kinds of loans or licenses that would allow them to make a decent living. These disadvantages can expose them to those who would take advantage of their vulnerability and inability to challenge exploitative employment arrangements. This marginalization can make it difficult for stateless minorities to escape an ongoing cycle of poverty. Denied the ability to own their own property, some stateless minorities have resorted to registering their assets using other identities (usually of citizens they know) in order to be able to provide for their families, leaving them in a state of insecurity and worry. 2 • UNHCR STATELESSNESS REPORT 2017 All the groups consulted spoke of their fear for their physical safety and security on account of being stateless. Some individuals have experienced being physically persecuted first hand. Others point to examples of deliberate profiling by the police, the inability to produce documents leading to arrests or the payment of bribes, as well as detention and attempted deportations by authorities. Being criminalized for a situation that they are unable to remedy has left psychological scars and a sense of vulnerability among many. For some, the inability to even secure a permanent dwelling or to own their own property or assets fundamental to their livelihoods has left them in a state of precariousness and extreme worry. All parents expressed deep despair about not having the ability to change the future for their children. 2017 UNHCR STATELESSNESS REPORT • 3