NFA joins the Global Statelessness Movement
Date: September 30, 2021
NFA became a member of the Interim Core Group (ICG) of the Global Statelessness Movement on September 30, 2021. More information about the Global Statelessness Movement:
The Global Statelessness Movement is a global community of stateless persons, activists, and allied organisations dedicated to the eradication of statelessness, equal nationality rights, and the human rights of stateless persons. We envision a world in which universal human rights – including the right to a nationality – are respected and upheld for all human beings. We are determined to elevate and amplify the voices of stateless persons at the international, regional, and national levels to influence policy makers, educate the community at large, and inspire global change.
We have formed a small group of 23 people comprised of stateless activists and NGOs, to drive forward the movement and to prepare for the formal launch later this year. We look forward to welcoming stateless persons and allied organisations around the world to join our movement.
In 2020, the Institute on Statelessness and Inclusion (ISI) began a process of exploring possibilities and interest among other actors in the field, with regard to establishing a Global Movement. Between April and July 2020, the ISI team completed a total of 70 bi-lateral consultations with 33 activists and 24 NGOs. These included five regional statelessness networks and four organisations and campaigns that operate globally. In addition to bilateral consultations, they hosted an online roundtable with representatives of regional statelessness networks and international NGOs, to get their inputs. Consultees were identified using ISI’s existing networks, and also through recommendations from various partners and other consultees. Those consulted are actively engaged in advocating for the right to nationality and the rights of stateless people in Africa, the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe and the Middle East and North African regions.
Based on the consultations, ISI initiated the formation process of the Global Movement on Statelessness creating an Interim Core Group (ICG) and three different Working Groups. The ICG and the Working Groups plan to discuss and determine the manifesto, structure, modality and activities of the Global Movement in a duration of two years.
Kickoff of the Voice Project and the Kickoff Meeting
Date: September 22, 2021
Human Rights Working Group (HRWG), Women Peace Makers (WPM), SUAKA and NFA marked the beginning of the ‘Count Us In!’ project supported by Voice on September 22, 2021. About the Initiative:
To build a strong and sustainable movement in the Asia-Pacific region centred on the empowerment of stateless communities, leaders, and their supporters, to develop creative policy solutions, and to change the narrative and public knowledge utilizing stories, voices, and experiences.
Period: August 1, 2021 – July 31, 2023
Impact: Space for political participation and citizen engagement
Goal: Empowered rightsholders are able to express their views and demand their rights for responsive and inclusive societies.
Long-term outcome: Rightsholders feel and rightsholder groups/organizations are empowered to use their influencing capacity for their voice to be heard, respected, and included
NFA takes session at the ‘Beyond Refugee’ Summer School on Refugee Rights and Forced Migration
Date: August 25, 2021
OSJI, Babseacle, BLAST, BRAC University and Center for Peace and Justice organized the Summer School on Refugee Rights and Forced Migration from August 23 – 26, 2021 in an online format. NFA’s Executive Director, Subin Mulmi was invited to be one of the speakers for the session on Gender and Sexuality issues on August 25, 2021.
Subin in his presentation gave a rundown on the meaning of sex, gender and sexuality, and the relationship between human rights and SOGIESC (Sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics). He also asked the participants to discuss two different case studies on right to seeking asylum as queer individuals on the move.
Webinar on Statelessness and Citizenship in South Asia
Date: July 22, 2021
NFA’s Executive Director participated in a webinar on ‘Statelessness and Citizenship in South Asia’ organized by the South Asia Center. The other panelists on the webinar were Dr. Indrajit Roy, Mohsin Alam, Rubadeh Shahid and Buddha Halder.
Subin spoke about the origins of SNAP and its transition to NFA. He then spoke in detail about the statelessness situation in Nepal and drew parallels between the situation in Nepal with other countries in South Asia.
Statelessness Summer Course
July 12 – 23, 2021
NFA’ Executive Director, Subin Mulmi participated in the Statelessness Summer Course 2021. The Summer Course was conducted from July 12 – 23, 2022 in an online format. Subin’s reflection on the course:
“The course not only offered a detailed insight on the nuances of statelessness and efforts to end statelessness, but also provided an opportunity to learn from the diverse participants of the course about their statelessness advocacy work.”
For more information about the course, please visit this page.