Statelesshenkilöitä

Statelesshenkilöitä, also known as stateless persons, are individuals who do not have a recognized nationality or citizenship. This condition can arise from various factors, including birth in a stateless territory, loss of citizenship, or failure to acquire citizenship at birth. Statelessness is a significant human rights issue, as it can lead to limited access to basic services such as healthcare, education, and employment, as well as difficulties in traveling and obtaining identification documents.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) defines statelessness as a person who is not considered a national by any state under the operation of its law. The UNHCR estimates that there are approximately 10 million stateless persons worldwide, with the majority living in Asia and Africa. Statelessness can be further categorized into two types: primary statelessness, which occurs at birth, and secondary statelessness, which results from the loss of citizenship.

Efforts to address statelessness include international agreements and national policies aimed at preventing statelessness and providing solutions for those already stateless. The 1961 Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons is a key international instrument that seeks to prevent and eliminate statelessness. However, the implementation of this convention varies widely among countries, and many stateless persons continue to face significant challenges.