On 30 August 1961, in New York, the Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness is concluded — the UN multilateral treaty requiring contracting states to reduce cases of persons without nationality.

Adopted by the UN Conference on the Elimination or Reduction of Future Statelessness (Geneva 1959 / New York 1961), the convention was opened for signature from 30 August 1961. Article 1 requires granting nationality to persons born in the territory who would otherwise be stateless.

Other provisions cover foundlings, birth on ships or aircraft, conditional loss of citizenship, bans on deprivation on racial or religious grounds, and transfers of territory. Entry into force: 13 December 1975 (UNTS vol. 989).

The depositary is the UN Secretary-General; UNHCR monitors implementation.

For nationality law, 30 August 1961 marks the Convention’s conclusion.

The text is published by the International Law Commission / UN.

The Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness of 30 August 1961 remains the anti-statelessness milestone.

Image: UN New York; Wikimedia Commons. Cropped to 16:9.

Source consulted: Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness. Treaty text: UN ILC — Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness (1961).