IBELONG: Coalition on Every Child’s Right to a Nationality
Most stateless children are from
minority groups
The Problem of Childhood Statelessness
A child without any nationality can face a lifetime of discrimination. Statelessness can profoundly affect the ability of children to access education and adequate healthcare, and to fulfill their ambitions and dreams for the future. Preventing and ending childhood statelessness is the best way to stop the spread of the problem. Ensuring that no child is left stateless will lead to better enjoyment of human rights by individuals and improved development outcomes for communities and States.
Objectives of the Coalition
The Coalition aims to develop, expand and strengthen international co-operation to raise awareness about and combat the hidden problem of childhood statelessness. It also aims to promote the right of every child to acquire a nationality. The Coalition seeks to engage in activities that will help to:
- Ensure that no child is born stateless
- Eliminate laws and practices that deny children nationality on discriminatory grounds
- Remove gender discrimination from nationality laws
- Improve birth registration to prevent statelessness
- Encourage States to accede to the UN Statelessness Conventions
Gender Discrimination and Childhood Statelessness
This new report explores how gender discrimination can be a major cause of childhood statelessness
Join the Coalition
If you are an international, regional or local NGO working on issues that could help to achieve the goals of the Coalition, please apply to become a member. Members will be informed periodically about activities and initiatives organized by the Coalition and receive updates on the Coalition’s progress. Please complete and submit this form if your organization would like to join the Coalition.
IBELONG Campaign to End Statelessness by 2024