There are at least 10 million stateless people world-wide. Statelessness is a man-made problem, but with the necessary political will and public support, millions of men, women, and children around the world could acquire citizenship. By having a nationality, they could then enjoy the same rights as the majority of the world’s population.
On the 4 November 2014, UNHCR launched a campaign to end statelessness in 10 years, concluding in 2024 to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the 1954 Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons.
UNHCR’s open letter to end statelessness
#IBELONG to a world where everyone has the right to a nationality.
Across the world today, more than ten million people are told they don’t belong ANYWHERE. They are called ‘stateless’. They are denied a nationality. And with it, they are denied their basic rights. Statelessness can mean a life without education, without medical care, or legal employment. It can mean a life without the ability to move freely, without prospects, or hope. Statelessness is inhumane.
The main reason people are stateless is because of discrimination. Because of their ethnicity. Because of their religion. Because in some countries women cannot pass their nationality on to their children. We believe it’s time to end this injustice. With enough courage, we know it is possible. Governments can change their laws and procedures, and give stateless people their rights and a place to belong. Within ten years, we can ensure everyone has a nationality. Because if we don’t, this injustice will only get worse.
A child is born stateless every ten minutes. By the time you finish reading this letter, another person may have started life without a nationality. We are ready to make our voices heard. We believe that if we take a stand, others will join us. And if enough of us stand up, we will end this inhumanity. That is why UNHCR is launching a Campaign to End Statelessness in ten years. 60 years ago, the world agreed to protect stateless people. Now it’s time to end statelessness itself.
Signed,
António Guterres