The European Network on Statelessness is launching its new report “No Child Should be Stateless” as part of its ongoing campaign seeking to end childhood statelessness in Europe.
 
The report offers a synthesis of research studies conducted by ENS members in eight European countries as well as analysis of nationality laws in all 47 Council of Europe states. It explains why many thousands of children continue to grow up stateless due to gaps in European nationality laws or obstacles preventing birth registration. The report reveals that even among those states that have acceded to relevant international conventions, more than half are still failing to properly implement their obligations to ensure that children acquire a nationality. ENS's research also sheds light on new and emerging cases of childhood statelessness, including the risk faced by children born to refugees and migrants or through surrogacy, adoption or to same sex couples.
 
No child chooses to be stateless but for those affected this can mean growing up without access to rights and services, denied opportunities, unfulfilled potential and a sense of never quite belonging. It brings hardship and anguish to children and their parents alike. Yet this is an entirely solvable problem, and the report concludes with a series of recommendations designed to guide action to more effectively address – and ultimately end – childhood statelessness in Europe.
 
You can join the debate around the report at #StatelessKids, as well as follow live tweeting from its launch event in Strasbourg from 16.00 -18.00 (CET) - including a keynote address by Nils Muižnieks, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights. The event is co-convened with UNHCR whose #ibelong campaign seeks to eradicate statelessness globally within a decade.
 
You can sign up here to receive more information about ENS and its campaign.