Statelessness Determination Procedures: Policy Options, Practical Experiences and Challenges
Joint seminar hosted by EMN Ireland, within the Economic and Social Research Institute, and UNHCR Ireland.
Date: Thursday, 5th May 2016
Time: 9:30-12:30
Venue: Economic and Social Research Institute, Whitaker Square, Sir John Rogerson's Quay, Dublin 2
This EMN Ireland/UNHCR Ireland event will present information on the experience of stateless people in Ireland, along with two case study examples of dedicated determination procedures adopted by the UK and France. Presenters will consider both the challenges and advantages in establishing a statelessness determination procedure. The panel discussion will provide an opportunity to consider the form that such a procedure might take in Ireland.
Seminar Agenda:
| 09:30 | Arrival and Registration |
| 10:00
|
Welcome
Alan Barrett, Director, Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) Chair: Emma Quinn, Head of EMN Ireland |
| 10:05 | Statelessness in Ireland: Introduction and context
Susan McMonagle, Protection Assistant, UNHCR Ireland and Anne Sheridan, Senior Policy Officer, EMN Ireland |
| 10:30 | Experiences of statelessness and practical obstacles to regularising status
Catherine Cosgrave, Legal Services Manager, Immigrant Council of Ireland with contribution from speaker with experience of statelessness (tbc) |
| 10:50 | Tea / Coffee Break |
| 11:05 | UK statelessness determination: policy and practical experience
Lea Jones, Senior Policy Adviser, Asylum and Family Policy, Immigration and Border Policy Directorate, UK Home Office |
| 11:25 | French policy, experience and practice on statelessness
Mourad Derbak, Chef de la Division Europe, Bureau des Apatrides, OFPRA (Office Français de Protection des Réfugiés et des Apatrides) |
| 11:45 | Panel discussion
Chair: Hilkka Becker, Solicitor /Independent Legal Expert Participants: Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service; Immigrant Council of Ireland; OFPRA (Office Français de Protection des Réfugiés et des Apatrides); Immigration and Border Policy Directorate (UK Home Office); UNHCR Ireland |
| 12:15 | Closing Remarks
Enda O'Neill, Head of Office, UNHCR Ireland |
Abstract:
In 2014, UNHCR marked the 50th anniversary of the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness with the launch of a 10 year campaign to end statelessness. Working to achieve greater political commitment to eradicate statelessness, the campaign seeks to resolve and prevent situations where people are not considered a national by any state.
As people without a nationality, stateless people may face many obstacles in their day to day lives. Opening bank accounts, signing employment contracts or even getting married can prove difficult when they cannot secure proof of their nationality or identity. The establishment of a statelessness determination procedure enables States to best assist stateless people overcome these challenges and enjoy their basic human rights.
In December 2015, the Council of the European Union’s Conclusions on Statelessness invited the European Commission to launch exchanges of good practices among Member States, using the European Migration Network as a platform to do so. While Ireland has not yet established a statelessness determination procedure, France has one of the longest established procedures in Europe and the UK introduced a new procedure three years ago. French and UK officials accordingly agreed to come to Ireland to share their experiences in establishing and operating such procedures in their respective countries.
How to find the ESRI:
The ESRI building is a pedestrian only square that is not immediately visible from the surrounding streets. A pedestrian entrance is located from Sir John Rogerson’s Quay (beside the large white Three Mobile building) and from Cardiff Lane beside the Clayton Hotel.
See map and directions.
EMN Ireland is co-funded by the European Union (Directorate-General for Home Affairs) and the Department of Justice and Equality.