The legislation guarantees stateless migrants and those born in Mali equal rights to healthcare, education, employment, housing and justice on the same basis as Malian citizens. The law also protects stateless people from penalties for lacking legal documents and prohibits their expulsion except under certain specific circumstances.</span

The legislation guarantees stateless migrants and those born in Mali equal rights to healthcare, education, employment, housing and justice on the same basis as Malian citizens. The law also protects stateless people from penalties for lacking legal documents and prohibits their expulsion except under certain specific circumstances.

Mali faces significant statelessness challenges among undocumented residents, nomadic groups, long-term refugees and those in remote border villages who struggle to access civil registration and prove their nationality. These vulnerable populations often lack access to civil registration systems, leading to generations without official identity documentation.</span

Mali faces significant statelessness challenges among undocumented residents, nomadic groups, long-term refugees and those in remote border villages who struggle to access civil registration and prove their nationality. These vulnerable populations often lack access to civil registration systems, leading to generations without official identity documentation.

Since 2017, with UNHCR support, Mali has made substantial progress addressing statelessness by naturalizing nearly 2,400 individuals at risk and providing birth certificates and other civil documents to over 30,000 people. Awareness campaigns and partnerships have helped improve understanding and access to legal identity, even in hard-to-reach areas.</span

Since 2017, with UNHCR support, Mali has made substantial progress addressing statelessness by naturalizing nearly 2,400 individuals at risk and providing birth certificates and other civil documents to over 30,000 people. Awareness campaigns and partnerships have helped improve understanding and access to legal identity, even in hard-to-reach areas.

Georges Patrick Menze, acting UNHCR Representative in Mali, praised the adoption as "a major step forward in the protection of human rights in Mali and a clear demonstration of the Government's commitment to end statelessness." He described the law as "a beacon of hope for thousands of vulnerable individuals" across the country.</span

Georges Patrick Menze, acting UNHCR Representative in Mali, praised the adoption as "a major step forward in the protection of human rights in Mali and a clear demonstration of the Government's commitment to end statelessness." He described the law as "a beacon of hope for thousands of vulnerable individuals" across the country.

UNHCR pledged continued support for implementing the new legislation and emphasized the importance of sustained international backing from partners and donors. The agency reaffirmed its commitment to assisting the Malian government in effectively implementing the law to ensure everyone has the right to nationality.</span

UNHCR pledged continued support for implementing the new legislation and emphasized the importance of sustained international backing from partners and donors. The agency reaffirmed its commitment to assisting the Malian government in effectively implementing the law to ensure everyone has the right to nationality.

Mali Adopts Groundbreaking Law to Protect Stateless People

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Mali Adopts Groundbreaking Law to Protect Stateless People

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