Global Caselaw Database on Statelessness
The Global Caselaw Database on Statelessness was established to strengthen access to jurisprudence on nationality, statelessness, and related human rights issues. It provides a practical resource for lawyers, academics, advocates, and decision-makers, complementing UNHCR and the Open Society Justice Initiative’s ‘Litigating the Right to Nationality: A Guide for Practitioners’ by bringing together decisions from courts and tribunals across different jurisdictions.
The database covers judgments that address statelessness directly, such as where the applicant is stateless or at risk of statelessness.
The Global Caselaw Database on Statelessness is an evolving tool and new cases will be added incrementally.
Want to offer feedback or suggest a case for inclusion in the Database? Contact our team
This initiative has been made possible with the support of UNHCR, the European Network on Statelessness, and Mallesons.
5 cases found
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Abid Khan and others v Government of Bangladesh and others
Date of decision: 05 May 2003
Region/country: Asia / Bangladesh
The Court considered Section 7(1) of the Electoral Rolls Ordinance 1982 and explained that the two vital issues to be decided were the citizenship of the petitioners and the legal implications of their residence at Geneva Camp. Regarding the First Group, the Court found that: The two Petitioners were entitled to citizenship under Article 2 of the President’s Order for the reasons argued by the…
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African Centre of Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS) And People's Legal Aid Centre (PLACE) v Sudan
Date of decision: 04 May 2018
Region/country: Africa / Sudan
The Committee found the Respondent: violated its obligation under Article 3 of the Charter on non-discrimination; violated Article 6(3) and 6(4) of the Charter on the right to nationality and the prevention of statelessness; as a consequence of the above violations, also violated Article 11 of the Charter on the right to education; and did not violate Articles 18(1) and 19(1) of the Charter on…
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Mazin Adil Ali Deng and Others v. Ministry of Interior and Another
Date of decision: 10 August 2016
Region/country: North Africa / Sudan
The Constitutional Court unanimously ruled in favour of the Applicants (7 judges agreeing). The Court held that Article 7(2) of the 2005 Interim National Constitution clearly states, ‘Every person born to a Sudanese mother or father shall have an inalienable right to enjoy Sudanese nationality.’ The court emphasized that the word ‘or’ provides alternative grounds for nationality. The Court invoked Article 3 of the Constitution…
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Partial Award, Civilians Claims, Eritrea’s Claims 15, 16, 23 & 27–32 Between the State of Eritrea and The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
Date of decision: 17 December 2004
Region/country: Africa / Eritrea, Ethiopia
The Commission found that the issuance of Eritrean nationality cards to enable participation in the 1993 Referendum did carry important legal consequences, including the acquisition of Eritrean nationality in fact. While the governing entity issuing the cards was not yet formally recognised as an independent State, it otherwise reflected the characteristics of a State in international law. The Commission first considered the legal consequences of…
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Sadaqat Khan v Chief Election Commissioner
Date of decision: 18 May 2008
Region/country: Asia / Bangladesh
The Court held that the Petitioners were nationals of Bangladesh by birth and residence and therefore entitled to be enrolled as a voter on the electoral roll and receive a National Identity Card. Key to the Court’s finding were the following legislative provisions: Article 6 of the Constitution provided that nationality of Bangladesh shall be determined and regulated by law; Article 2 of the Bangladesh…
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This initiative has been made possible with the support of UNHCR, the European Network on Statelessness, and Mallesons.