Statsløs

Statsløs is the Norwegian term for a stateless person—someone who is not considered a national by any state under the operation of that state's law. Statelessness can leave individuals without a valid nationality, which in turn can affect access to identity documents, travel, and a range of civil, political, and social rights.

Causes of statelessness include gaps in nationality laws, differences in how states grant or transmit citizenship at birth, and changes in borders or statehood. Other factors are gender-based discrimination in transmission of nationality, loss or renunciation of citizenship, and administrative barriers such as failure to register births. Displacement and refugee movement can also create or reveal statelessness when people lose proof of nationality or when states fail to recognize their status.

International law addresses statelessness through two key instruments. The 1954 Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons sets out rights for stateless individuals, including non-discriminatory access to courts, education, and a travel document. The 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness seeks to prevent and reduce statelessness, notably by rules on acquiring nationality at birth and through naturalization. Participation in these conventions varies by country, and not all states are parties to them.

Rights and limitations: Stateless persons typically have limited mobility and are excluded from certain protections and benefits available to citizens. They may face challenges in obtaining work, healthcare, education, and social services, and can experience difficulties obtaining travel documents or crossing borders.

Global context: Estimates of stateless people vary, but international organizations describe statelessness as a significant global issue. Efforts to reduce statelessness include legal reforms to grant nationality to those affected and to eliminate discriminatory practices in nationality laws.