The UNHCR applauds the adhesion by the population of the Republic of Congo to the 1954 Status of Stateless Persons Convention and to the 1961 convention on the reduction of statelessness: this is what the UN Refugee Agency communicated last week in a press release.

In a nation of approximately 6 million people, the government had identified around 200,000 individuals at risk of statelessness.

The Republic of Congo's commitment to these conventions dates back to 2019 when it was formally endorsed during a meeting by the executive committee of the UNHCR. Four years later, on October 10, 2023, the Republic of Congo finalized the adhesion procedure becoming the 90th country to adhere to the 1954 Convention and the 79th country to adhere to the 1961 Convention.

'Statelessness has devastating effects on the lives of millions of people'

Gillian Triggs, the Deputy High Commissioner for Protection of the UNHCR, emphasized the significance of this move, stating, "The adhesion of the Republic of Congo to these conventions is a commendable result and concrete proof of the country's unwavering commitment to eradicating statelessness, which has devastating effects on the lives of millions worldwide."

Triggs further noted that the Republic of Congo's action sets a positive example for other African nations, highlighting that political will and legislative changes can resolve the tragedy faced by stateless individuals.

The UNHCR works in close cooperation with the Congolese government to prevent and resolve problems related to statelessness and it is ready to support the Republic of Congo to fully implement the two conventions, the agency noted.

Over 4,4 million people, across 95 countries, were stateless in 2022

As part of its support, UNHCR has been assisting the Republic of Congo's government in improving its registry system and addressing statelessness issues across the country. Since 2018, more than 30,300 birth certificates have been provided to individuals at risk of statelessness, including 5,300 from indigenous populations who face an even higher risk.

In 2022, UNHCR reported that over 4.4 million people were stateless or of unclear nationality across 95 countries. Stateless individuals are denied fundamental human rights and are excluded from participation in civil life, including education, medical assistance, access to the labor market, freedom of movement, and the right to vote, among other things.

The #IBelong global campaign of the UNHCR and its consequences

The UNHCR's global campaign, #IBelong, launched in 2014, aims to eradicate statelessness worldwide. Since its inception, 23 countries, including the Republic of Congo, have joined one or both conventions on statelessness. Thousands of people across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas have gained access to citizenship through legislative changes that have recently been enacted.

Also read: Ending statelessness: UNHCR calls on world community to do more