Tyler Harbottle, "From Statelessness to Global Citizenship" (Paper outline)

Executive Summary and Recommendations

Introduction

Case Studies: The Plight of the Stateless

• Nubians in Kenya
• Roma in Europe
• The Lost Canadians

Current Efforts to Combat Statelessness

Existing Conventions

• Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons, 1954
• Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness, 1961

Existing Programs

UNHCR Programing

Canadian Efforts

• Bill C-37
• Bill C-467

Efforts are insufficient and gaps persist

Obligations to Take Action

Obligations of the International Community

Numerous international mechanisms demand signatory nations afford a measure of rights to stateless men, women and children

Canada as an Agent of Change

Recommendations

• That all countries sign and ratify the existing conventions relating to statelessness
• That a UNHCR Commission on Statelessness be established by UN Resolution, with a primary mandate to:
• Identify stateless individuals
• Provide a UN Identity Card to stateless people
• Act on behalf of the stateless
• Investigate large scale discriminatory policies that lead to statelessness
• Review and assess the scope and efficacy of existing conventions

Conclusion 

References

Appendices

Private Members Bill for the House of Commons of Canada which would implement the “1954 Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons” in Canada

Comments

[Michael Byers]

I'm very pleased with how this is developing and have just four comments now:

1. At the beginning of the paper, you should probably explain some of the ways in which people become stateless.

2. I think you should discuss the obligations of states and the international community at the same time that you review the two conventions.

3. You should also consider whether there is any customary international law on this issue, parallel to the conventions but also binding on states which have not ratified them.

4. I would encourage you to research the UN secretariat's representation of Palestinians before the UN Compensation Commission set up after the 1990 Gulf War. This strikes me as an important precedent for some of your recommendations.

That's it. Keep up the good work!

[Calyn Shaw]

Tyler and Matt,

Here is the series from the Vancouver Observer on lost Canadians. If you haven't taken a look it yet I think it will be useful for your case study.

http://www.vancouverobserver.com/world/lost-canadians

Also, check out this article by Megan Stewart about Justin Trudeau and citizenship law reform:

http://www.vancouverobserver.com/world/lost-canadians/2010/10/31/trudeau-leads-mps-call-citizenship-law-reform

[Marc]

Hey fellas,

The basic outline looks sound (and I do understand that it is an outline), but would you guys be able to provide a short summary as to what the advantages are to adopting the conventions you've got listed? That may help us provide more substantive feedback on the ideas themselves. Also, what would the value of UN ID be for stateless people? Would countries have to buy into a resolution to accept its use?

[Forrest]

Hi Guys,

Your project is really interesting! In the course of my previous employment, I encountered some members of this group - they try to give stateless or underrepresented peoples assistance in their attempts to gain recognition in international bodies. It's not exactly what you're doing, but it's an interesting attempt to tackle a somewhat similar issue:

http://www.independentdiplomat.org/