Minorities, Discrimination and Statelessness
Published: 1/Oct/2021
Source: UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
Racial discrimination or other discrimination such as on the grounds of minority status, religion or belief, age, gender identity or gender expression, disability, language, sex, sex characteristics or sexual orientation, as well as intersectional or multiple forms of discrimination, is a cause of statelessness. It is estimated that more than 75% of the world’s known stateless populations are members of minority groups.
Statelessness intersects with and exacerbates barriers already faced by minorities and other disadvantaged groups. It further limits their access to services and the enjoyment of their human rights. As flagged by the Special Rapporteur on minority issues, women belonging to minorities may be further marginalized by gender-based discrimination in relation to their acquisition, change or retention of nationality and the conferral of nationality on their children. While nationality alone is not a cure for the stigmatization and discrimination faced by stateless minorities, it is generally crucial to the full and equal exercise of human rights and freedoms.
Consultations conducted in the summer of 2021
In the run-up to an October 2021 Roundtable on Equality and Non-Discrimination in Nationality Matters to End Statelessness, OHCHR and UNHCR undertook a stocktaking on national laws, policies and practices in this area.
A short survey was distributed to UN Member States, and public consultation was also opened online. While many of the responses were sent confidentially, some respondents have agreed to making them public.
Read further: https://www.ohchr.org/en/minorities/minorities-discrimination-and-statelessness