EU Pact on Migration and Asylum: Statelessness as a vulnerability

On 11 June 2024, the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, approved by the European Parliament and the Council, entered into force and is to be implemented by June 2026. For the first time in the EU acquis, binding provisions on statelessness have been introduced.

The Pact identifies statelessness as a vulnerability, introducing legal requirements to identify and record statelessness. This marks an advancement in the better identification and protection of stateless individuals seeking and receiving protection in the European Union.

The Screening Regulation and Asylum Procedures Regulation of the Pact require Member States to assess statelessness indicators during preliminary vulnerability check of migrants and to clearly register them, pending a determination of whether the individual is stateless.

According to UNHCR, there were at least 4.4 million stateless people worldwide at the end of 2024, although the true number is likely much higher. Statelessness is a legal anomaly which often prevents individuals from accessing fundamental civil, political, economic, cultural and social rights. Approximately 10% per cent of all stateless people reported globally are in Europe, and some of them are refugees. Even though stateless persons and refugees are two distinct categories under international law, a person can be both a stateless person and a refugee.

In accordance with the JHA Council Conclusions of 2015, the European Migration Network (EMN) Platform on Statelessness provides a forum for Member States to exchange good practices, challenges and encourages contributions from stakeholders, practitioners, researchers, international and non-governmental organisations.

Prior registration is mandatory both for in-person and online attendance. Please consult the conference webpage below for more information on how to register.
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