Addressing statelessness in Europe

1. Addressing statelessness in Europe Access to citizenship and its impact on immigration integration: EU final event Brussels, February 2013 Chris Nash Coordinator, European Network on Statelessness European Network on Statelessness

2. European Network on Statelessness “ • Why the need for ENS? • Developing the Network • Structure and membership • Key activities and objectives European Network on Statelessness

3. EU role in addressing statelessness • Historically ‘off the radar’ • Statelessness and EU law • Link between nationality and the enjoyment of EU citizenship (Rottman) • Increasing political awareness and action e.g. State pledges • Short term opportunities for the EU to increase its role re statelessness European Network on Statelessness

4. Reducing statelessness through naturalisation • Greatest need of the stateless to decisively resolve their plight is the bestowal of citizenship but … three key obstacles • The position under international human rights law? • The European Convention on Nationality • EUDO Citizenship Law Indicators • What EU MS and candidate states could do better – Five key recommendations European Network on Statelessness

5. Concluding observations • Primary challenge i) reform citizenship laws that generate statelessness & ii) all EU MS to introduce determination procedures • Legislative & policy change at national level • Mainstreaming statelessness in migration, integration & citizenship debates • Need for increased research, awareness raising and capacity building • Supporting civil society e.g. EUDO initiative European Network on Statelessness