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INTRODUCTION
In November 2014, UNHCR launched a Global Campaign to End Statelessness in 10 Years. The strategy for the
Campaign is set out in a Global Action Plan, which contains 10 actions that need to be taken to end statelessness.
States are encouraged to adopt National Action Plans that include those actions necessary to end statelessness
in their own national contexts. Since the launch of the Campaign, the UNHCR Representation for the Nordic
and Baltic Countries (UNHCR RNB) has conducted statelessness mappings in each of the eight countries in the
Northern Europe region. The mapping in Denmark has been conducted by an independent consultant, Ms. Eva
Ersbøll, senior researcher, Ph.D., Danish Institute for Human Rights, working under the supervision of UNHCR RNE.
The text was finalized by UNHCR RNE with the support of Paavo Savolainen reflecting relevant developments until
31 December 2018. The methodology has comprised desk research as well as consultations with governmental
and non-governmental stakeholders in this area. It should be noted that sec. 4.2.1.1.4 was drafted by UNHCR.
UNCR RNB shared a draft version of the mapping with the key national stakeholders in this area, namely the
Ministry of Immigration and Integration received an advance draft of the mapping for comments, which have been
incorporated by UNCR RNB into this final report. The statistical data was updated in early 2018 with the support of
Statistics Denmark. UNHCR is very grateful for all the cooperation extended and for the valuable input, constructive
feedback and comments provided by the stakeholders throughout the consultative process.
The information gathered through these mappings of statelessness in the countries of Northern Europe,
consolidated in reports like the current one, is aimed at raising awareness and providing a better understanding
among the stakeholders of the situation of stateless persons in the countries concerned, and the extent to which
the international standards in this area are implemented in law and practice. UNHCR thus hopes that the findings
and recommendations contained in the reports will contribute to the ongoing dialogue between UNHCR, the
governments concerned, civil society, and other relevant actors on what steps may need to be taken at the national
level in order to bring the respective countries’ national legal frameworks, institutional capacities, and practices
fully in line with international standards in the area of prevention and reduction of statelessness and the protection
of stateless persons. UNHCR, moreover, hopes that the reports can serve as a starting point for the development
of National Action Plans to end statelessness in each of the countries in the region.
This mapping of statelessness in Denmark provides an overview and analysis of the statistics and demographic
profiles of persons who are stateless in Denmark and examines existing laws and practices relating to the
recognition of their status and their enjoyment of rights.
The demographic section of this report consists mainly of quantitative analysis with some qualitative elements. The
quantitative analysis includes a statistical overview and analysis, as well as a review of statelessness registration
methods and practices. As the statistics provided in the mapping cover a specific period, a cutoff date has been
set as 31 December 2017.
The chief purpose of the legal analysis section of the report is to examine the implementation of the 1954
Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons1 (1954 Convention) and the 1961 Convention on the Reduction
of Statelessness2 (1961 Convention) and other relevant international and regional standards on statelessness. In
analyzing current Danish approaches to statelessness in law and policy, particular attention has been paid to
1
UN General Assembly, Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons, 28 September 1954, United Nations, Treaty Series, vol.
360, p. 117, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6b3840.html.
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UN General Assembly, Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness, 30 August 1961, United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 989, p.
175, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6b39620.html.
UNHCR Representation for the Nordic and Baltic Countries
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