The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) revealed on Saturday that approximately 4.4 million people globally are considered stateless, News About Nigeria reports.
However, it emphasised that the actual number could be significantly higher due to the relative invisibility of stateless individuals.
This information coincides with the ninth anniversary of the UNHCR’s ‘IBelong’ campaign focused on addressing statelessness.
The UNHCR, the United Nations refugee agency, stressed that statelessness has a profoundly adverse impact on those without a nationality, advocating for more concerted efforts to combat this form of exclusion.
Stateless people, who are not recognised as citizens of any country, often face severe limitations on their human rights and access to essential services.
This situation frequently leads to their political and economic marginalisation, making them more vulnerable to discrimination, exploitation, and abuse.
The agency’s statement highlighted the existence of ‘at least 4.4 million people in 95 countries’ reported as stateless or with undetermined nationality.
However, it acknowledged that the global number is likely much higher due to the limited visibility of stateless individuals in national statistical data.
Furthermore, the UNHCR pointed out that a disproportionate number of the world’s stateless people belong to minority groups, exacerbating the discrimination and marginalisation they already experience.
While various factors can contribute to statelessness, many cases could be resolved through straightforward legislative and policy changes.
UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, called upon states worldwide to take immediate action to ensure that no one is left behind.
In 2023, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, North Macedonia, Portugal, and Tanzania took significant steps forward in addressing statelessness, and the Republic of Congo became the latest country to accede to the Statelessness Conventions.
Currently, 97 countries are parties to the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons, and 79 are parties to the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness.
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi emphasised that while progress has been made in tackling statelessness, it remains insufficient.
With the ongoing global forced displacement crisis, millions of people continue to be marginalised, deprived of their fundamental human rights, and unable to participate in or contribute to society.
Grandi underscored that this exclusion is unjust and must be addressed.
