Ethiopia-Eritrea: statelessness and state succession

Published: 1/Apr/2009
Source: Forced Migration Review

Katherine Southwick, “Ethiopia-Eritrea: Statelessness and state succession”, Forced Migration Review, Vol. 32 (special edition on statelessness), April 2009, pp.15-17.

There is a need to strengthen international law on nationality rights and avoidance of statelessness in the context of state succession and international conflict.

The experiences of people of Eritrean origin in Ethiopia and of those deported to Eritrea during the 1998-2000 border conflict illustrate the need for an initiative that would help prevent arbitrary loss of nationality and the resulting risks to other human rights in the Horn of Africa or elsewhere. Border changes may then occur – reflecting evolving group identities – without necessarily being precursors to statelessness.

Download from Forced Migration Review website:application/pdf iconsouthwick.pdf

Themes: Loss and Deprivation of Nationality, State Succession, New States, Statelessness
Regions: Eritrea, Ethiopia
Year: 2009