UNHCR Launches #IBelong Campaign to End Statelessness

The #IBelong Campaign, initiated by the UNHCR, aims to eradicate statelessness globally. This ten-year initiative is underpinned by a Global Action Plan that focuses on three main objectives: resolving existing cases of statelessness, preventing new occurrences, and enhancing the identification and protection of stateless individuals. Statelessness affects millions worldwide, leaving individuals without a nationality and, consequently, without access to basic rights such as education, healthcare, and employment. The campaign emphasizes the importance of nationality as a fundamental human right and seeks to mobilize governments, civil society, and the private sector to take action against this issue. Since its launch, the campaign has made significant strides in addressing statelessness. Hundreds of thousands of individuals have either acquired nationality or had their nationality confirmed, which has improved their access to essential services and legal protections. Additionally, numerous countries have taken steps to strengthen their nationality laws, thereby reducing the risk of statelessness. The campaign not only raises awareness about the plight of stateless individuals but also encourages collaborative efforts to ensure that everyone has the right to belong to a nation. By fostering a global dialogue on this issue, the #IBelong Campaign aims to create a world where no one is left stateless.