DESK REVIEW ON POPULATIONS AT RISK OF STATELESSNESS The Sama Bajau were also the second-largest ethnic group in Sabah according to 2010 figures comparing populations by ethnic group compiled by the Department of Statistics of Malaysia.45 Persons of Indonesian Descent (PID) are another population at risk of statelessness. Through a joint initiative of the Philippines and Indonesian Governments, and in cooperation with UNHCR, an Action Plan was established and mapping and registration of the PID population was conducted. Determination of nationality for 8,745 registered PID has so far led to confirmation as either Filipino, Indonesian, or limited dual citizenship for 8,371 persons (96% of those registered) as of December 2019. Outstanding cases are those that participated in the project but did not return for the solutions phase. Based on consultations with the Department of Justice (DOJ), there may be additional unmapped PID populations estimated at around 4,000 persons who have not yet reached by the joint project of the Philippines, Indonesia and UNHCR to resolve their status.46 There are still children born without birth certificates and are at risk of statelessness within the context of forcible displacement due to armed conflict.47 While the national average for birth registration in the Philippines is relatively high (above 90%), there are disparities in some areas that have a much lower rate of registration. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) indicate that the registration rate is only 37.85% in the Bangsamoro Region.48 Furthermore, Region XII (81.39%), Region VIII (85.54%), and Region IX (86.59%) also show significant gaps. Meanwhile, data from the PSA includes 5,660 foundling certificates issued over the 10-year period from 2010 to 2019. A landmark ruling in the Supreme Court found “Total population by ethnic group, administrative district and state, Malaysia.” Department of Statistics, Malaysia. 2010. pp. 369/1. Available at: https://web.archive.org/web/20120227090345/http://www.statistics.gov.my/portal/download_Population/ files/population/05Jadual_Mukim_negeri/Mukim_Sabah.pdf. 45 Since 2011, the Philippine Government, Indonesian Government, and UNHCR have been working together to bring legal protection to over 8,000 Persons of Indonesian Descent in southern Philippines (See: https://www.unhcr.org/ph/11753-philippineindonesian-governments-work-together-end-statelessness-mindanao.html). The project between UNHCR and the Governments of the Philippines and Indonesia was initiated in 2011. It is led by the Philippines’ Department of Justice, Refugees and Stateless Persons Unit (DOJ-RSPPU), and supported by the Bureau of Immigration, Public Attorney’s Office, Indonesian Consulate, and UNHCR Philippines. (96% of those who have been registered have been provided with solutions through confirmation of their nationality. This was conducted by the Governments of the Philippines and Indonesia in resolving situations of statelessness of Persons of Indonesian Descent (PID), See: Statement of the Republic of the Philippines at the High Level Segment on Statelessness, 7 October 2019, available at: https://www.unhcr.org/5d9cbcb27.pdf). 46 In this regard, the Philippines has also already made a firm commitment to ensure that no child is born stateless (Statement of the Republic of the Philippines at the High Level Segment on Statelessness, 7 October 2019, available at: https://www. unhcr.org/5d9cbcb27.pdf). Note achievements to date, for example, through the Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Act No. 293, child registration in conflict-affected areas is designed to reduce the number of unregistered children. (See: Government of the Republic of the Philippines, RLA Bill No. 24, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Regional Legislative Assembly, 7th Legislative Assembly, Second Regular Session, Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Act No. 293, 14 May 2012, An Act Establishing Free Birth Registration in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and Providing Funds Therefor (available at: https://lawphil. net/administ/mmaa/7a/pdf/mmaa_293_7a.pdf)). 47 48 20 UNHCR-UNICEF Joint Strategy for Addressing Childhood Statelessness. UNHCR / April 2021