EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The overall objective of the survey was to obtain reliable and representative data on different dimensions of statelessness of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptians (RAE) in Serbia. The survey was carried out in ‘Roma’ settlements on a sample which included 1,987 households having a total of 8,765 members - persons belonging to the RAE national minority. Specific objectives were to: 1. Determine the number of persons at risk of statelessness, who are facing serious obstacles in obtaining personal documents. 2. Identify and graphically present the locations where such persons predominantly reside. 3. Assess socio-demographic characteristics of these persons. 4. Identify the cause for the lack of personal documents. Lack of documents by persons at risk of statelessness among the RAE population • • • • The reasons for the lack of documents • • Basic characteristics of the sample • • • There were 95.4% of Roma, 1.8% of Ashkali, 1.2% of Egyptians, 1% of Serbs and 0.6% of other nationalities in the sample. Almost all of them have the citizenship of the Republic of Serbia - 98.1%. The population of the surveyed settlements is extremely young - the average age in the sample was 28.38. • • • Key characteristics of persons at risk of statelessness • • • • 6 The share of persons without basic identity documents among the Roma population in Serbia has dropped significantly: from 6.8% in 2010 to 3.9% in 2015! The problem of statelessness is concentrated, the risk of statelessness is noticeably higher among: - the RAE displaced from Kosovo, - in Belgrade, - in substandard settlements, - in 31% of households there are 2 or more members who are at risk of statelessness. Households with persons at risk of statelessness are very poor – for 75% of them the main sources of income are the collection of secondary raw materials, social assistance and seasonal jobs. 90% of these households would like to be contacted in order to receive assistance in the process of obtaining documents that household members lack. PERSONS AT RISK OF STATELESSNESS IN SERBIA PROGRESS REPORT 2010–2015 1% of all RAE who live in ‘Roma’ settlements are not registered in birth registries. 5.2% of all RAE who live in ‘Roma’ settlements have no identity cards. 38% of RAE who are at risk of statelessness have no residence registration. 50% of RAE who are at risk of statelessness are not registered in the vital records of citizens. The most common reason for the non-registration of the RAE in birth registries is the lack of necessary documentation related to their parents or to them personally, while other important reasons include scarcity of funds, complicated procedures and lack of information. The main reasons for the lack of ID cards include the lack of necessary documents and the scarcity of funds needed for administrative fees. The most common reasons for unregistered residence include lack of the required documents and the lack of an address at which they could register. Likewise, the key problems with the registration in the vital records of citizens also include the lack of relevant documentation, scarcity of funds to pay administrative fees and the lack of information. Generally speaking, lack of information and complicated procedures are less common as a reason for the lack of documents than in 2010, and the lack of necessary documents has become a more frequent reason. Access to rights and discrimination • • A quarter of RAE at risk of statelessness have faced problems because of their status, primarily in accessing the most important services: health care and social protection, formal employment. A quarter of RAE who are at risk of statelessness have also had a bad experience in state institutions when trying to obtain the documents, predominantly in health care institutions and the police. PERSONS AT RISK OF STATELESSNESS IN SERBIA PROGRESS REPORT 2010–2015 7