RESOLUTION
BOOKLET
Transylvania Regional Selection
Session
Busteni, Prahova
27th of October – 29th of October 2017
Motion for a Resolution by the
Committee on Human Rights
As of January 2016, 79,000 people of Estonia’s population is stateless. Despite
efforts made by the Estonian government, for many people, especially children
born to stateless residents outside Estonia, obtaining citizenship is a challange,
therefore frequently resulting in discrimination.
What stance should the EU take to diminish statelessness by 2024?
Submitted by the delegation of Constanta : Chiru Alexandra, Ghenu Vlad-Octavian,
Grancea Alexia Maria, Negoi Razvan Stefan, Nita Matei Malin, Oprisan Ioana Patricia,
Staicu Alexandra, Suciu Amina, Turcu Alexandra, Ursu Nicoleta Elita, Vait Erin; Andrei
Tociu(Chairperson, RO).
The European Youth Parliament:
A. Keeping in mind that in the status quo, Europe hosts more than 600,000 stateless
people, including 79,000 people in Estonia,
B. Noting that stateless are deprived of their fundamental human rights and
discriminated against,
C. Concerned by the fact that several Member States (MS) are not currently party to
the main international conventions1 which address statelessness
D. Observing that the Member States which are involved in conventions regarding
statelessness often do not comply with the promoted principles and rules,
E. Aware of the fact that the current Migration Crisis 2 is an important cause of
statelessness within the European Union (EU) as migrants are usually facing a
citizenship withdrawal when leaving the country of origin,
F. Noting with deep concern that there is no common base of legal procedures
among the MS, resulting in discrimination or legal loops 3,
G. Bearing in mind that there is a lack of cooperation between the EU and the NGOs
(such as the European Network on Statelessness) addressing statelessness,
H. Keeping in mind that ethnic discrimination is a current issue in Europe, resulting in
a lack of birth certificates, and a bureaucratic barrier,
I. Reaffirming that Estonia has declined the possibility of adherence to the main
international conventions which address statelessness, because of the
interference between its national legislation and the promoted rules and protocols,
1
UN 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons, UN 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness,
European 1997 Convention on Nationality
2
A big number of people leave their countries of origin and come to Europe for a better life
3
When a person needs a certain document to obtain another, but the second one is required to obtain the first. In the end
none of the documents can be obtained.
J. Realising that the concept of “unidentified citizenship” has not been legally
defined by the empowered Estonian national institutions,
K. Taking into consideration that the fast changing legislation of Estonia, the
numerous existing amendments and the persisting legislative gaps result in a
general unawareness regarding the procedures and criteria measures in place,
L. Regretting that the cultural discrepancies and the historical implications between
Estonian citizens and the Russian-speaking minority persist resulting in conflicts
and diplomatic tensions,
M. Further noting that children between 15 and 18 years old are not covered by the
Estonian law, restricting their access to a simplified naturalisation process 4,
N. Noting with regret the difficulties encountered by the Russian-speaking minority in
the naturalisation process in Estonia, such as:
a) the high costs,
b) the lack of possibility of learning the language,
O. Noting with concern that the parents’ denial of the Estonian citizenship at birth
may lead to statelessness for the child itself,
1. Recommends all the MS to adhere and ratify the main conventions 5 in the field;
2. Reminds the countries which are already a party to them of the rules and
principles they should comply with principles within the conventions;
3. Invites the countries of origin of the migrants who come to Europe to adhere and
ratify the European 1997 Convention on Nationality 6
4. Encourages the MS to review their national procedures, to follow the example of
the Netherlands7 and create a common decision-making ground;
5. Supports regular meetings between the EU officials and NGOs in order to elaborate
a plan for combating statelessness;
6. Strongly affirms that the MS should follow the principles stated in the EU Charter
of Fundamental Rights 8regarding the issuing of birth certificates regardless of
ethnicity or race;
7. Encourages Estonia to change its national legislation and adhere and ratify the
main international conventions related to statelessness;
8. Urges the competent Estonian national bodies to provide a legal definition of the
term “unidentified citizenship” with the support offered by the European Court of
Justice;
9. Suggests that the Estonian government identifies the legal gaps in order to make
its national legislation less susceptible to change;
10. Recommends Estonia to promote multiculturalism between its citizens and the
Russian-speaking community with the help of the NGOs in the field;
4
The process by which a person can acquire the citizenship of a country
5
UN 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons, UN 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness,
European 1997 Convention on Nationality
6
The convention interdicts a country to withdraw the nationality of a person if it results in statelessness
7
Netherlands is currently developing a national statelessness determination procedure
8
A documents which states the rights of a person
11. Asks for a clarification regarding the cause of non-legislative coverage for minors
between 15 and 18 years old;
12. Demands the compliance of Estonia to the Convention of the Child Rights;
13. Encourages the Estonian government to take the following measures:
a) reduce the costs of the language exams required by the naturalization
process,
b) organize free language classes in the regions where the Russian-speaking
population predominates;
14. Considers that parents should be provided with a legal adviser by the national
authorities when signing the citizenship rejection of their child.
