Statelessness, a special focus
Posted May 2006 - Jyoti Sachavirawong
 The Friedrich Naumann Foundation dedicates the topic of this special focus to bringing to the attention of our readers the magnitude of the problem of statelessness. Special highlight is on the situation in Malaysia, where with its rapid economic advancement, the subject of statelessness may not seem to be one of major concern. Yet through the community and women empowerment project with the Tamil Indian minority, it has been found that a large number still live without legal identity.
In the focus, there are papers that discuss the impact on the affected people, the hindrances to personal and economic development of individuals and the state; the legal and educational remedies that a forum of government, civil sector and media proposed to tackle this issue; legal provisions in the Malaysian Constitution and International legal instruments of which Malaysia is a party that are relevant in addressing this issue; as well as case study from the experience of Thailand from two perspectives – education and legal reforms.
In addition a paper by the UNHCR Representative in Malaysia gives an overview on the organisation’s role in protecting the stateless people, with detailed strategies and tactics outlined in a handbook produced by UNHCR and the Inter-Parliamentary Union targeted at parliamentarians.
Please read more about these topics under our Statelessness focus.
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Special Focus : Statelessnes