50th anniversary of Reduction of Statelessness Convention

Today is the 50th anniversary of the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness. But with so few states party to this treaty - just 38 of the UN's 193 member states - there is little cause for celebration. Millions of people around the world continue to suffer the consequences of not having a nationality. And in an age of increasing labour mobility, for many people, children in particular, the risks of losing one's nationality are growing.

Five days ago UNHCR launched a global campaign to combat statelessness. We expect that a number of States will either accede to the two Statelessness conventions this year or pledge to do so at a ministerial-level meeting of UN member states being held in Geneva in December [the two conventions are the 1954 Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons, and the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness]. Nonetheless we are today repeating our call to governments, advocates, media, and individuals for a redoubling of efforts so that more states sign on to the statelessness conventions, reform nationality laws, and resolve the problem. Everyone should have a nationality: It is a fundamental right.

For further information on this topic, please contact:

• In Geneva: Adrian Edwards on mobile +41 79 557 91 20
• Sybella Wilkes on mobile +41 79 557 91 38
• Vivian Tan on mobile +41 79 881 91 74