Life without identity: The invisible socio-political and humanitarian faces of statelessness

Yıl 2025, Cilt: 15 Sayı: 1, 893 - 925, 23.03.2025

Aylin Çiçekli

https://doi.org/10.48146/odusobiad.1614071

Öz

ABSTRACT
Statelessness has emerged as a pressing humanitarian crisis, drawing increasing attention from the international community in the modern world. Defined as the condition in which an individual is not recognized as a citizen by any state, statelessness is not merely a legal status issue but a multifaceted phenomenon with profound humanitarian consequences. This article examines statelessness as a phenomenon, shedding light on its historical and sociopolitical foundations. First, the human impact of statelessness is explored, highlighting its far-reaching effects on individuals. Stateless persons are often deprived of basic rights, facing significant barriers to accessing essential services such as healthcare, education, and employment. Furthermore, the absence of legal protection, coupled with widespread discrimination and social exclusion, exacerbates their vulnerabilities. This article underscores that statelessness is not confined to individual hardships but serves as a broader issue that perpetuates and deepens social inequalities. The article also analyzes the conditions that give rise to statelessness from legal, political, and social perspectives. Factors such as uncertainties surrounding legal status, deficiencies or discriminatory provisions in citizenship laws, international migration, state fragmentation, and border changes are identified as primary contributors to statelessness. Structural issues, including ethnic and religious discrimination and restrictions on women’s rights to confer citizenship, are also highlighted as dynamics that sustain and exacerbate the problem. By examining the fundamental challenges faced by stateless individuals through legal, sociological, and humanitarian lenses, this study aims to address the often-overlooked dimensions of statelessness. The research seeks to fill an academic gap on the issue and provide insights that can inform and shape future policies. In doing so, it aspires to enhance understanding of the barriers confronting stateless individuals while contributing to the development of solutions. In conclusion, statelessness is an urgent issue requiring immediate intervention within the frameworks of human rights and international law. The article emphasizes the necessity of international cooperation, the reform of citizenship laws, and the implementation of individual-centered humanitarian policies to combat statelessness effectively.

Anahtar Kelimeler

citizenship, statelessness, international migration, human rights, equality

Kimliksiz yaşamlar: Vatansızlığın görünmeyen sosyopolitik ve insani yüzü

Öz

ÖZET
Vatansızlık, modern dünyanın giderek artan bir insani krizi olarak uluslararası toplumun dikkatini çekmektedir. Bir bireyin hiçbir devlet tarafından vatandaş olarak tanınmaması durumu olan vatansızlık, yalnızca bir hukuki statü meselesi olmayıp, derin insani sonuçlar doğuran bir olgudur. Bu makale, vatansızlığı bir fenomen olarak ele alarak, sorunun tarihsel ve sosyopolitik temellerine ışık tutmaktadır. İlk olarak, vatansızlığın insani yönü incelenerek bu durumun bireyler üzerindeki etkileri ele alınmıştır. Vatansız kişiler genellikle temel haklardan yoksun bırakılmakta; sağlık, eğitim ve istihdam gibi hizmetlere erişimleri engellenmektedir. Ayrıca, hukuki koruma eksikliği, ayrımcılık ve sosyal dışlanma, vatansız bireylerin yaşamlarını daha da zorlaştırmaktadır. Makalede, vatansızlığın yalnızca bireysel mağduriyetlerle sınırlı kalmayıp, toplumsal eşitsizlikleri derinleştiren bir sorun olduğuna dikkat çekilmektedir. Vatansızlığa sebep olan koşullar ise hukuki, siyasal ve sosyal boyutlarıyla analiz edilmiştir. Hukuki statüye ilişkin belirsizlikler, vatandaşlık yasalarındaki eksiklikler veya ayrımcı düzenlemeler, uluslararası göç, devletlerin parçalanması ve sınır değişiklikleri bu durumu tetikleyen başlıca faktörler arasında yer almaktadır. Ayrıca, etnik ve dini ayrımcılık, kadınların vatandaşlık aktarma hakkındaki sınırlamaları gibi yapısal sorunlar da vatansızlığı sürdüren dinamikler arasındadır. Bu çalışma, vatansızlık sorununun göz ardı edilen boyutlarına ışık tutmayı amaçlamakta ve vatansız bireylerin karşılaştıkları temel sorunları, hukuki, sosyolojik ve insani boyutlarıyla incelemeyi hedeflemektedir. Vatansızlık konusundaki akademik eksikliği doldurmak ve vatansız bireylerin karşılaştıkları engelleri daha iyi anlamak amacıyla bu çalışma, alana yönelik katkı sağlamayı ve gelecekteki politikaların şekillendirilmesine yardımcı olacak bir temel oluşturmayı hedeflemektedir. Sonuç olarak, vatansızlık, insan hakları ve uluslararası hukuk bağlamında acil müdahale gerektiren bir sorundur. Makale, vatansızlıkla mücadelede uluslararası iş birliği, vatandaşlık yasalarının reformu ve birey odaklı insani politikaların önemini vurgulamaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

vatandaşlık, vatansızlık, uluslararası göç, insan hakları, eşitlik

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