Laura Parker IOM different solutions. In a migratory context, to ensure adequate protection, the need for the implementation of robust statelessness determination procedures (SDPs) was recognised, but also the linking of such procedures to a suitable protection status that should subsequently lead to the possibility of facilitated naturalisation. During the session ‘International protection and statelessness in a migration context – case studies and sticking points’ the panellists delved in depth into how migration and statelessness so often coincide. Amongst other matters, they discussed the challenges of the intersection of Refugee Status Determination Procedures with Statelessness Determination Procedures especially in the context of Greece; the state of procedures in the UK and UK Home Office criteria for granting permission for stateless persons to stay and the position of stateless Palestinians from Syria seeking international protection in the European Union. The session ‘Born into irregularity, denied nationality’ considered access to nationality specifically for children born to migrant/refugee parents, where panellists discussed Colombia, the United States, Thailand, and Hong Kong in depth as well as holding a more general discussion. Grand Challenge 3 Syria’s Statelessness Landscape: Eight Years On Moderator: Sabine Nolke H.R., Ambassador of Canada to the Netherlands Panelists: Fateh Azzam Boston Consortium for Arab Region Studies Haqqi Bahram Linkoping University Martin Clutterbuck Norwegian Refugee Council Bernadette Habib Frontiers Ruwad Association Thomas McGee Peter McMullin Centre on Statelessness / University of Melbourne 18 “The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights is developing a process to adopt the InterAmerican Principles on the human rights of migrants, refugees, and other persons in the context of mixed migratory movements... these principles will reflect existing international and inter-American law and standards developed by UN and inter-American bodies.” Álvaro Botero UN Committee on Migrant Workers It is impossible to talk about statelessness and displacement without reference to the crisis in Syria. The 2011 revolution and the Syrian government’s extremely violent retaliation caused a humanitarian disaster. 4.8 million refugees are registered in neighbouring countries and over a million have travelled to Europe. The majority hold Syrian nationality, facing no immediate risk of statelessness, but a small proportion of the refugees are stateless. Others, particularly children born in exile, are at risk of statelessness due to Syria’s nationality law, which is gender discriminatory, or difficulties documenting their connection to Syria and therefore their right to nationality. In Grand Challenge 3 ‘Syria’s Statelessness Landscape: Eight Years On’ the panel looked at the risk of statelessness and the additional vulnerability of displaced stateless refugees. The session was introduced with an overview of the devastating humanitarian crisis in Syria. The range of challenges faced by Syrian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq resulting from onerous state-specific bureaucratic procedures were illustrated, highlighting that the role of bureaucracy not only causes problems for those trying to access services, but can also perpetuate and reinforce other barriers including, for example, gender discrimination. The situation of minority groups, particularly, the Kurds in Syria, and in displacement contexts were extensively considered. The practical challenges experienced by forcibly displaced Kurds and Palestinians in Europe, including widespread misidentification of statelessness, discrimination and obstacles to resettlement and family reunification were explored. There was also a discussion of what happens “post-statelessness” and how citizenship acquisition alone cannot be assumed to solve all issues associated with statelessness. “Syria is a microcosm of every dynamic that affects citizenship and statelessness in the region and beyond.” Fateh Azzam Boston Consortium for Arab Region Studies & ISI Advisory Council