Other relevant bodies in the United Nations system 69 involved in the return of Crimean Tatars to Ukraine and still assumes a limited role with regard to a programme for the return of Meskhetian Turks to Georgia. Minorities and statelessness Minorities are often disproportionately affected by problems of statelessness, sometimes as a result of discriminatory legislation on nationality, or discriminatory practices, or because of differences in nationality laws among the various States to which a minority group may have ties. To address this issue, UNHCR conducts a number of activities in the field under the four broad categories of identification, prevention and reduction of statelessness and protection of stateless persons. The identification of stateless persons is the first step in combating statelessness, and UNHCR works actively to gather information regarding stateless populations. Statistics alone, however, are not effective in eradicating statelessness. Identifying the causes of statelessness and the characteristics of stateless populations is essential for the formulation of responses. Identification activities include surveys, studies on legislation and administrative gaps, population censuses and discussions with the people affected. Once a population or person is identified as stateless, UNHCR coordinates efforts with the Government and civil society partners to address the issue. Prevention is the easiest and most effective way to address statelessness. UNHCR works in a variety of ways to change conditions which could lead to statelessness. Where legislative or administrative gaps exist, UNHCR, in partnership with other organizations, provides technical and advisory services to States on amending their legislation and practice to align with the 1961 Convention and other international standards. In many situations, people risk not being recognized as nationals, because they cannot prove their identity or links with any country. For this reason, with NGO and United Nations partners, UNHCR promotes birth registration. It also provides practical advice and legal assistance to help persons obtain identity and nationality documentation, which eliminates many risks of statelessness. In the Balkans, for example, some 50,000 members of the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian minorities lack personal documentation. Many are refugees or have been internally displaced and socially excluded. UNHCR is engaging in a comprehensive project facilitating their civil registration and documentation, which has thus far addressed the needs of almost 8,000 persons. Through similar projects, UNHCR and its partners enable persons to avail themselves of naturalization procedures and thus to reduce statelessness. On a large scale, UNHCR engages in citizenship campaigns, supporting Governments which have taken steps to resolve a stateless situation. In these campaigns, stateless persons are made aware of the importance of nationality and relevant procedures, for example through radio shows or posters. As is the case for refugees, special measures of protection are often necessary to protect stateless people. UNHCR encourages the ratification of the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons, which guarantees those persons specific rights. UNHCR also assists States in implementing their obligations and intervenes in specific cases. Forced displacement of minorities While ethnicity sometimes lies at the centre of conflict or persecution, ethnic or religious minorities may also become the unintended victims of forced displacement, especially where their security is at risk as a consequence of where they live or for other reasons unrelated to their ethnic background. In either case, forced displacement may have an additional impact on the preservation of minority identity and culture.