Statelessness

Involuntary loss of nationality
Stateless persons
Lack of citizenship

Nature

The condition of being without a nationality or without a legal right to domicile may arise from the refusal to grant nationality; deprivation of nationality; or expulsion (usually for political reasons, though also for misconduct). Statelessness involves homelessness, loss of property, unemployment, separation of family through nationality complications, general disorientation and conflict in countries which give asylum to stateless persons in large numbers.

Incidence

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), there were approximately 4.4 million stateless people reported in 94 countries at the end of 2023, though the actual number is believed to be significantly higher due to underreporting. Statelessness is most prevalent in regions with histories of ethnic conflict, state succession, or discriminatory nationality laws, notably in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and parts of Africa.
A prominent example occurred in Myanmar in 1982, when the government enacted a citizenship law that effectively rendered the Rohingya population stateless. This legal exclusion has left over 900,000 Rohingya without nationality, primarily in Rakhine State.

Claim

Stateless persons constitute a largely unprotected, vulnerable group of people, to whose problems the international community generally gives insufficient attention.

Counter-claim

Statelessness is often overstated as a pressing issue. In a world grappling with far more significant challenges—such as poverty, climate change, and global health crises—focusing on statelessness diverts attention and resources from urgent matters. Many individuals can navigate life without formal citizenship, adapting to their circumstances. Instead of prioritizing statelessness, we should concentrate on broader systemic issues that affect millions, ensuring a more impactful and meaningful approach to global problems.