The problem of statelessness in Cambodia

Abstract

Statelessness has become an issue of concern to the international community since after the World War I. An estimated 15 million people are refused citizenship around the world. Statelessness occurs due to many reasons, such as gaps in nationality laws, the moving of people from their own birth country, a child born in a foreign country, the emergence of new states and changes in borders or statelessness because a person’s nationality is lost or removed. Stateless people are unable to enjoy several of their fundamental rights including access to education, access to healthcare services, to acquire a job, the freedom of movement (traveling) and other civil and political rights such as a right to vote or right to political participation. Statelessness is a primary factor in human rights violations, civil conflict, and the national security of the state in parts of the world. Statelessness occurs in many regions around the world, including Africa, Europe, Latin America & the Caribbean, and the Middle East. Statelessness appears in the Southeast Asia region, including Cambodia. This paper will cover the problem of statelessness in Cambodia.