Model UN Background Guide

Committee: SOCHUM (GA3)

Topic: Statelessness

Conference Year: 2026

Topic Background

Statelessness refers to the condition of individuals who are not recognized as citizens by any state under the operation of its laws. This lack of nationality deprives millions of people worldwide of basic rights and protections, including access to education, healthcare, employment, and freedom of movement. The problem of statelessness has deep historical roots, often tied to colonial legacies, shifting borders, discriminatory nationality laws, and conflicts.

The modern legal framework addressing statelessness was established in the mid-20th century, notably with the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons and the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness. Despite this, statelessness persists as a significant human rights and humanitarian challenge. The issue has gained renewed urgency due to recent geopolitical developments: protracted conflicts in the Middle East, the Rohingya crisis in Southeast Asia, displacement from Venezuela and the Sahel, and the rise of nationalist policies restricting citizenship rights in various regions.

Stateless populations are often invisible in official statistics and marginalized in society, making it difficult for governments and international organizations to address their needs comprehensively. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed and exacerbated the vulnerabilities of stateless persons, who frequently lack access to vaccines and social protections. Moreover, increasing migration and displacement flows have brought statelessness into sharper focus as a cross-cutting issue intersecting with refugee protection, human trafficking, and development agendas.

In 2026, SOCHUM’s agenda on statelessness reflects the urgent need to reinvigorate international cooperation, close legal and policy gaps, and enhance protection mechanisms. The committee is tasked with exploring innovative solutions to reduce new cases of statelessness and improve the living conditions of stateless persons globally.

Key Actors

States:

• Bangladesh: Host to hundreds of thousands of Rohingya stateless refugees from Myanmar, Bangladesh is a critical actor advocating for durable solutions and repatriation guarantees.
• Myanmar: Central to the Rohingya crisis, Myanmar’s nationality laws and policies have been widely criticized for rendering the Rohingya stateless.
• Dominican Republic: Known for controversial nationality laws that have stripped citizenship from thousands, especially of Haitian descent, drawing international condemnation.
• Thailand: Home to many stateless persons, including ethnic minorities and migrant children, Thailand faces challenges in legal recognition and social inclusion.
• Venezuela: Political and economic instability has led to internal displacement and statelessness risks, particularly for indigenous populations and migrants.
• European Union (EU) Member States: Several EU countries have grappled with statelessness issues among migrants and asylum seekers, focusing on integration and legal reforms.

International Organizations (IOs):

• United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR): The lead UN agency mandated to prevent and reduce statelessness, coordinate protection efforts, and assist stateless persons worldwide.
• Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): Monitors human rights implications of statelessness and supports normative frameworks.
• International Organization for Migration (IOM): Engages in addressing statelessness linked to migration and displacement.
• International Labour Organization (ILO): Advocates for the labor rights of stateless persons, who often work in informal or precarious sectors.

Bloc Positions

1. Western and Developed Democracies (e.g., EU, Canada, Australia, Japan):
These countries generally support strengthening international legal frameworks and increasing support for UNHCR-led initiatives. They emphasize the importance of human rights protections and are often willing to provide resettlement or integration pathways for stateless persons. However, some have restrictive national policies on citizenship acquisition and asylum, reflecting domestic political pressures.

2. South and Southeast Asia (e.g., Bangladesh, Thailand, India, Myanmar):
This bloc faces significant challenges with large stateless populations, often linked to ethnic minorities and displaced groups. Bangladesh and Thailand prioritize humanitarian assistance and durable solutions, while Myanmar is defensive about its nationality policies. Regional cooperation is limited, and concerns about sovereignty and security complicate multilateral efforts.

3. Latin America and the Caribbean (e.g., Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Colombia):
There is a mixed record in this bloc. Venezuela’s crisis has increased vulnerability to statelessness, while the Dominican Republic has been criticized for retroactive denationalization policies. Some countries advocate for regional protection mechanisms and legal reforms to prevent statelessness, but political instability hampers progress.

4. African States (e.g., Kenya, South Africa, Ethiopia):
Many African countries contend with statelessness tied to migration, ethnic conflicts, and administrative challenges. Some have made legislative reforms to reduce statelessness, but enforcement is uneven. The African Union supports continental initiatives to address statelessness, emphasizing the link to development and stability.

Past UN Action

• 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons: Established standards for the treatment of stateless individuals.
• 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness: Provides legal measures to prevent statelessness at birth and later in life.
• GA Resolution 69/170 (2014): Endorsed the UNHCR’s #IBelong Campaign aimed at ending statelessness within a decade.
• GA Resolution 71/137 (2016): Called for intensified international cooperation and national action plans on statelessness.
• UNHCR Global Action Plan to End Statelessness (2014-2024): A strategic framework guiding states and partners in reducing statelessness.
• Annual UNHCR reports on statelessness: Provide data, analysis, and recommendations on global trends and challenges.

Questions a Resolution Should Answer

1. How can member states strengthen legal frameworks to prevent statelessness, particularly among vulnerable groups such as minorities, refugees, and children?
2. What measures can be implemented to improve identification, registration, and documentation of stateless persons?
3. How can cooperation between states, regional organizations, and UN agencies be enhanced to facilitate durable solutions, including naturalization and voluntary repatriation?
4. What role should international assistance and funding play in supporting countries hosting large stateless populations?
5. How can states balance national security concerns with the human rights of stateless persons?
6. What strategies can be adopted to ensure stateless persons have access to education, healthcare, employment, and social services?
7. How can SOCHUM promote awareness and political will to implement existing international conventions and UNHCR guidelines on statelessness?

Further Reading

UN Documents:
Official UN resolutions, reports by UNHCR and OHCHR, and General Assembly debates provide authoritative information on international legal standards, state obligations, and recent developments in statelessness policy. These documents offer insight into the normative framework and the UN’s role in addressing the issue.

Think-Tank Reports:
Research institutes such as the International Refugee Rights Initiative, the Institute on Statelessness and Inclusion, and the Migration Policy Institute publish detailed analyses, case studies, and policy recommendations. These reports contextualize statelessness within broader migration, human rights, and development frameworks.

News Outlets:
Reputable international news sources like Al Jazeera, BBC, and Reuters regularly cover statelessness-related crises, such as the Rohingya situation or Dominican Republic nationality rulings. News articles provide up-to-date information on emerging challenges, government responses, and civil society activism.

This background guide aims to equip delegates with a comprehensive understanding of statelessness as a pressing human rights issue, highlighting the complexity of legal, political, and humanitarian dimensions that SOCHUM must navigate in 2026.