UNHCR

 This paper is about the reality of repatriation for Sudanese refugees in a context of political upheaval, a fluctuating security situation and a demanding economic environment.After decades in exile, almost a quarter of a million officially registered refugees in Uganda and similar numbers of unregistered refugees are considering the prospect of returning to Sudan. And many have already done so.

UNHCR (2008). Statelessness: An analytical framework for prevention, reduction and protection http://unhcr.org.ua/files/mf30_e.pdf

Foreword

Massey, Hugh: UNHCR and De Facto Statelessness, LPPR/2010/01, April 2010, UNHCR

INTRODUCTION

UNHCR has had a mandate for stateless persons ever since the Office was established in
1950. Originally, that mandate only extended to stateless persons who are refugees. As discussed in Part I below, refugees who do not have a nationality at all are “de jure stateless”, whereas refugees who do have a nationality are “de facto stateless”. However, whereas all refugees are stateless, many stateless persons are not refugees.1

"What would life be like if you had no nationality?". UNHCR, DIP 1998.

Historically, there has been a recognized link between refugees and stateless persons with both groups receiving protection and assistance from international refugee organizations.

In the wake of World War Two when the needs of refugees were paramount the 1951 Refugee Convention was promulgated. A Statelessness Protocol, attached to the draft refugee convention, was postponed for consideration at a later date.