simplifying and removing procedural and other barriers that particularly are due to intersectional
discrimination, in areas such as registration, language and documentation requirements that are
excessive or particularly burdensome for minorities. He further acknowledged the importance of
signaling the importance of eradicating the scourge of statelessness with a designation of formal
international day to this effect. The Special Rapporteur referred to "IBelong" campaign and the
UNCHR High-Level Event 2019 and called on the states to highlight their suggestions on how to
combat statelessness during the event. He also noted some of the constructive suggestions
emanating from the discussions, including one suggesting the recognition of a world day against
statelessness to highlight the importance of recognition and addressing this issue, including as a
minority issue.
The Special Rapporteur thanked Austria and other friends of the Forum whose support
was essential to enable the functioning of the Forum. He thanked the more than 600 participants
of the Forum, including states, civil society organizations, experts on the matter and others for
their invaluable insights and contribution to the Forum. The Special Rapporteur also thanked
everyone who had worked on the preparation of the event.
The Special Rapporteur expressed his enthusiasm about the large number of participants
and their contribution to the importance of addressing the issue of statelessness from the
perspective of the promotion of the rights of persons belonging to minorities, as well as about the
commitment and desire to reflect, strategize and re-channel efforts in this area.
The Chairperson of the Forum, Ms Rita Izsák-Ndiaye, concluded the discussion and
thanked all the participants of the Forum, as well as everyone that organized the event. She
attached a great importance to the suggestion to designate an International Day on the
Eradication of Statelessness, which would allow to keep the topic of the Forum high on the
agenda and continue reflecting upon it.
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