North Macedonia ends statelessness caused by Yugoslavia's dissolution
North Macedonia ends statelessness caused by Yugoslavia's dissolution
North Macedonia has become the first country in the region to resolve all known cases of statelessness resulting from the dissolution of SFR Yugoslavia. To mark this historic achievement and acknowledge the received support, Deputy Prime Minister Fetai hosted a reception with key ministries and institutions, Members of Parliament, UNHCR and its partner the Macedonian Young Lawyers Association, representatives of the international community (OSCE, CoE, EU) and the UN sister agencies.
SKOPJE – North Macedonia has become the first country in the region to resolve all known cases of statelessness resulting from the dissolution of SFR Yugoslavia. Through sustained efforts led by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Parliament, the last 317 individuals who had lived in legal limbo since the country’s independence have now been granted citizenship. For the first time, they will enjoy the full rights and protections guaranteed for citizens of North Macedonia. The efforts come shortly after UNHCR marked 30 years of presence in North Macedonia last year, when Philippe Leclerc, UNHCR Regional Director for Europe urged the authorities to take the final steps to resolve all remaining cases of statelessness stemming from the dissolution of the former Yugoslavia. “No one should be left without a nationality, and together, we can ensure that every person in this country has a legal identity and a place to belong.”-he remarked.
This milestone is the culmination of a 34-year process, driven by a comprehensive approach involving the Parliament’s Commission for Political System and Relations between Communities, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and its key sectors, including the Sector for Citizenship, Sector for Foreigners, the Sector for ID Cards, as well as the Registry Office. Their efforts, supported by UNHCR, other UN agencies, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the Council of Europe (CoE), and the European Union Delegation (EUD), have significantly advanced the country’s progress in addressing statelessness. Since 2001, nearly 20,000 stateless people have acquired citizenship in North Macedonia.
Globally, at least 4.4 million people remain stateless. UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi commended North Macedonia’s achievement: “This is one of the strongest efforts in Europe and indeed worldwide. I understand that North Macedonia is now on the brink of eradicating statelessness entirely. Thank you for your commitment, for sharing your progress with us, and for being a champion in the Global Alliance.”'
UNHCR and OSCE Mission to Skopje also commends the country’s ongoing commitment to resolving the remaining known caseload of 168 individuals who, while not stateless due to Yugoslavia’s dissolution, were never issued birth certificates. Their status is currently under review, with authorities actively working towards solutions.
As part of its long-term strategy to prevent statelessness, North Macedonia has reinforced Article 4a of the Law on Civil Registry, ensuring that every child is registered at birth, regardless of the parents’ legal status. In 2024 alone, authorities identified 675 children at risk of statelessness due to non-registration. Thanks to the proactive collaboration between UNHCR, the OSCE Mission to Skopje and national authorities, 358 of these cases have been successfully resolved, marking a significant shift towards systematic and immediate birth registration.
Gabriel Gualano de Godoy, UNHCR Representative in North Macedonia, stated:
“For 93 years, Ruža carried the weight of nations dissolving and new ones emerging, all without a single document to affirm her existence. Her shaking hands, finally receiving an ID card, are a stark testament to the huge toll of statelessness on a human life. Ruža waited nearly a century to simply belong. Today, I congratulate the authorities of North Macedonia for taking the lead as the first country to resolve all known cases of statelessness stemming from the dissolution of former Yugoslavia, and I extend my sincere thanks to our partners and donors whose support made this achievement possible”.
Deputy President of the Government in charge of Good Governance Arben Fetai stated:
“After three decades of injustice, North Macedonia has turned the page of history, putting an end to statelessness for hundreds of people born and grown up in this country. Today, we proudly say: everyone who lived as invisible finally has a name, identity, and rights. The victory over statelessness is proof that justice is not an illusion – it is possible when there is political will, international cooperation and tireless activism. This moment turns the country from a dividing wall into a haven for each citizen.”
On the occasion of this important achievement, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Astri Iseni, stated:
“Nationality is one of the fundamental human rights and is a legal basis for a large number of other civil rights and liberties; it signifies the legal bond between a person and the state, regardless of the manner of acquisition, and does not indicate the ethnic origin of the citizen.”
Susan Penksa, Deputy Head of the OSCE Mission to Skopje, stated:
“Today's progress is a testament to our collective dedication to building a society rooted in fairness, equality, and respect for human rights. However, while we celebrate today's achievements, we must also acknowledge that the work is not yet complete. Statelessness continues to affect other groups in the country, most notably among the Roma community. Many Roma individuals still face barriers to obtaining civil documentation, and Roma children continue to be born without a nationality. This is a serious concern that demands urgent attention. The right to a nationality is firmly enshrined in OSCE commitments, including the 1992 Helsinki Document, the 1999 Istanbul Charter for European Security, and the 2003 Maastricht Action Plan on Roma and Sinti. These commitments underline that no one should be arbitrarily deprived of nationality, and call on participating States to take proactive steps to prevent and resolve statelessness. Let’s not forget that stateless people are not invisible, they are our neighbors, our friends, and members of our communities.”
Addresses from authorities highlighted the value of North Macedonia’s leadership in tackling statelessness and its continued investment in maintaining progress. The country is strengthening and adapting its legal framework with safeguards to ensure that no one is left without a nationality in the future. This milestone is not only a national success—it is a global example of how strong political will, humanitarian commitment, and international cooperation can eradicate statelessness.
