STATELESSNESS AND ITS RELEVANCE TO CONTEMPORARY

In accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, everyone has the right to a nationality. The rationale behind this strong commitment to provide the right to a nationality is that citizenship is that natural and effective link between the individual and the state. The concept of citizenship is meant to ensure the fulfillment by States of the obligation to protect their own citizens, a status that gives them access to certain services. In these circumstances, nationality is a very sensitive issue, since it is a manifestation of a country's sovereignty and identity. Disputes relating to nationality can lead and often lead to tensions and conflicts, at state and interstate level.