UK's new determination procedure to end legal limbo for stateless
This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Melissa Fleming – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today's press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
UNHCR welcomes the new stateless determination procedure that came in to effect in the United Kingdom this past weekend (06 April).
The procedure allows stateless people, currently living on the margins of society and in legal limbo, a route to be formally recognised as stateless persons and to legalize their presence in the UK. As such, it is a landmark step.
The new procedure is also a positive example to other countries that are parties to the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons but which have not taken steps to implement the Convention by establishing a statelessness determination procedure and a protection status for stateless people.
Introduction and implementation of a fair and efficient procedure to identify stateless people in the UK was one of the key recommendations of a 2011 study carried out by UNHCR and our NGO partner Asylum Aid. This research - conducted in the context of the 50th anniversary of the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness - found that stateless people who had come to the UK in a migration context were not being identified as such. This put them at risk of destitution, as well as costly immigration detention and lack of access to basic rights and services.
During 2012, UNHCR provided input to the Home Office on the design of a procedure which would allow for the identification of stateless individuals and which would ensure that they receive protection.
A key feature of the new procedure is that it assesses whether an individual does in fact possess a nationality or whether they require protection in the UK. The 2011 research found that there are around 150 to 200 people each year who claim asylum and are recorded as being stateless by the UK Home Office.
The UK has ratified both the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons and the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness.
The UK's new procedure is among several recent developments internationally regarding statelessness. In the first three months of 2013 Ukraine has acceded to both the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons, and the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness, while Jamaica has acceded to the '61 Convention.
For further information on this topic, please contact
- In London: Andrej Mahecic on mobile +44 78 80 23 0985
- In Geneva: Babar Baloch on +41 79 557 9106
- Adrian Edwards on mobile +41 79 557 91 20
- Melissa Fleming on number +41 79 557 91 22
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HelpAge International
27 Oct 2011 ... Address: 1st floor, York House 207-221 Pentonville Road London N1 9ZN United Kingdom Tel: +44 20 7278 7778 Fax: +44 20 7843 1840 Email: [email protected] Web: www.helpage.org... -
Veterinary Aid
27 Oct 2011 ... Address: Pentlands Science Park Bush Loan Penicuik EH26 0PL United Kingdom Tel: +44 131 445 6241 Fax: +44 (0)131 445 6242 Email: [email protected] Web: www.vetaid.org... -
Muslim Aid
27 Oct 2011 ... Address: PO Box 3 London E1 1WP United Kingdom Tel: +44 20 7377 4200 Fax: +44 20 7377 4201 Email: [email protected] Web: www.muslimaid.org... -
UNHCR clarifies role in Sangatte operation
27 Sep 2002 ... of contention between France and the United Kingdom, but was also having an extremely negative ... being negotiated with France and the United Kingdom. [Editor's note:France went on to sign a ...... -
Humanitarian Forum
27 Oct 2011 ... Address: Suite 27 58-60 Kensington Church Street London W8 4DB United Kingdom Tel: +44 20 7368 1645 Fax: +44 20 7937 3400 Email: [email protected] Web: www.humanitarianforum.org... -
ActionAid International
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Skillshare International
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Response International
27 Oct 2011 ... Address: Holland House 4 Bury Street London EC3A 5AW United Kingdom Tel: +44 207 220 6352 Email: [email protected] Web: www.responseinternational.org.uk... -
Asylum Aid
27 Oct 2011 ... Address: Club Union House 253-254 Upper Street London N1 1RY United Kingdom Tel: +44 207 354 9631 Fax: +44 207 354 5620 Email: [email protected] Web: www.asylumaid.org.uk...