Key Documents on Statelessness

This section provides essential resources on addressing statelessness in Central Asia. It includes the 1954 and 1961 Conventions and their translations into Central Asian languages, handbooks for parliamentarians, reports, as well as guidance materials to support governments, partners, and stakeholders in preventing and reducing statelessness while protecting the rights of stateless people.

Learn more about UNHCR Central Asia resources.

The 1954 and 1961 UN Conventions on Statelessness

The 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons and the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness are the key international conventions addressing statelessness. Both are complemented by international human rights treaties and provisions relevant to the right to a nationality. Turkmenistan is the only Central Asian country signatory to the UN Conventions on Statelessness.

1954 Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons

Available in English, Kyrgyz, Kazakh, Russian, Tajik, and Uzbek languages:

1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness

Available in English, Kyrgyz, Kazakh, Russian, Tajik, and Uzbek languages:

Ashgabat Declaration on Ending Statelessness in Central Asia

The Ashgabat Declaration on Ending Statelessness in Central Asia, endorsed at the Ministerial Conference co-hosted by UNHCR and the Government of Turkmenistan in November 2023, sets out key commitments by states to reduce and prevent statelessness in the region. The Declaration highlights priorities such as enhancing statelessness determination procedures, confirming nationality across borders, reducing remaining stateless populations, promoting regional cooperation, and aligning with international standards. It also emphasizes the importance of birth registration, data transparency, and the inclusion of stateless people into national systems, marking a significant step forward in building on progress achieved across Central Asia.

Ashgabat Declaration on Ending Statelessness in Central Asia

December 2024

Report: Central Asian Conference on Ensuring Birth Registration to Prevent Statelessness

In May 2024, UNHCR and Uzbekistan hosted the Central Asian Conference on Ensuring Birth Registration to Prevent Statelessness. Officials and experts shared best practices on strengthening birth registration as a safeguard against statelessness, in line with the #IBelong Campaign, SDG 16.9, and the Asian and Pacific CRVS Decade. The report prepared by UNHCR outlines the event’s key findings and recommendations.

Report: Central Asian Conference on Ensuring Birth Registration to Prevent Statelessness

September 2024

Русский

IPU Handbook for Parliamentarians No.29: Good practices in nationality laws for the prevention and reduction of statelessness

Text and media

The Handbook builds on earlier editions and supports the global #IBelong Campaign to End Statelessness. It highlights practical legal measures to prevent and reduce statelessness, including ensuring every child has a nationality, removing gender discrimination from nationality laws, protecting people from being left stateless through loss or deprivation of nationality, and providing naturalization pathways. The handbook aims to guide States in aligning national laws with international standards and in ensuring that no one is left behind.

IPU Handbook for Parliamentarians No.22: Nationality and Statelessness

Text and media

Produced jointly by UNHCR and the Inter-Parliamentary Union, this revised Handbook provides guidance for parliamentarians and policymakers on addressing statelessness. It highlights international legal standards, good practices, and concrete steps to prevent and reduce statelessness, including ensuring fair nationality laws, protecting children, and promoting gender equality. The Handbook also encourages States to accede to the two UN statelessness conventions and serves as a practical tool to support global efforts to end statelessness.

Available in English, Russian, Tajik, and Uzbek languages: