Encyclopedia
Stateless person
Definition of the term "stateless person"
- For the purposes of this Convention, the term "stateless person" means a person who is not considered a citizen by any state under its law.
- The provisions of this Convention do not apply:
i) to persons who currently enjoy protection or assistance from other organs or institutions of the United Nations, except the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees;
ii) to persons whose competent authorities of the country in which they reside recognize the rights and obligations associated with citizenship of that country;
iii) to persons in respect of whom there are serious grounds for assuming that they:
a) committed a crime against peace, a war crime or a crime against humanity as defined by these acts in international instruments drawn up with a view to taking measures regarding such crimes;
b) committed a serious non-political crime outside the country which granted them asylum and before they were admitted into that country;
c) are guilty of committing acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
Source: Convention on the Status of Stateless Persons