In a seminar held in Bangkok, officials from the Thai Government, civil society organisations, and UN agencies gathered to reinforce their efforts towards ending childhood statelessness in Thailand. The seminar was part of the UNHCR-UNICEF Joint Strategy for Addressing Childhood Statelessness and aimed to evaluate the progress made in the country, identify challenges, and explore solutions for improved collaboration among key stakeholders.

 

Thailand has made significant strides in legislation and policy to address statelessness over the past few decades. However, Giuseppe de Vincentiis, a UNHCR Representative, acknowledged that resolving childhood statelessness in Thailand is still a work in progress. He welcomed the Royal Thai Government’s (RTG) commitment to ending childhood statelessness, and pledged UNHCR’s continued support to the government and stakeholders in building on the progress made so far.

 

“Every child has a right to a nationality or a legal status,” said Kyungsun Kim, UNICEF Representative for Thailand. “This is a fundamental right and the first gate that enables children to enjoy other basic rights, including the right to survival, education, protection, and meaningful participation. Without a nationality or a legal status, it is extremely difficult for a child to live a quality life and secure a bright future.”

 

The RTG has endorsed UNHCR’s #IBelong campaign to end statelessness by 2024, pledging to provide a pathway to obtaining legal status or nationality for stateless persons, including children. The government also aims to enhance access to education, social services, and protection for them. Since 2015, over 63,000 registered stateless persons have acquired Thai nationality.

 

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Caption: Photo via The Pattaya News

 

Full Story: https://thethaiger.com/news/national/thailand-intensifies-efforts-to-end-childhood-statelessness

 

-- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-06-01

 

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A basic human right for most people, but a long time coming in Thailand.