Statelessness

Without a nationality, a person may be unable to go to school, see a doctor, get a job, open a bank account or even get married.

The conventions

• The 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons sets minimum standards of treatment.
• The 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness helps states prevent children from being born stateless.

What UNHCR does

• Identifies and protects stateless people.
• Helps states change laws that cause statelessness.
• Encourages states to join the conventions and to grant nationality to children born on their territory who would otherwise be stateless.