#IBELONG Mapping STATELESSNESS in Finland UNHCR Regional Representation for Northern Europe Stockholm, November 2014 Mapping STATELESSNESS in Finland UNHCR Regional Representation for Northern Europe Stockholm, November 2014 Consultant: Ms Anne Laakko Cover photos: © UNHCR This document is for general distribution. All rights reserved. Reproduction and translation is authorized, except for commercial purposes, provided that UNHCR is acknowledged as the source. Layout and design: BakOS DESIGN Contents Abbreviations ............................................................................................................................................................6 1. Introduction ..........................................................................................................................................................7 1.2 Executive summary ............................................................................................................................................8 1.3 Statelessness across the globe ........................................................................................................................8 1.3.1 Defining “a stateless person” .................................................................................................................................................9 1.3.2 Causes of statelessness ...........................................................................................................................................................9 1.3.3 Consequences of statelessness .........................................................................................................................................10 1.4 The international and regional legal framework ..................................................................................... 10 2. Face of Statelessness in Finland .............................................................................................................. 12 2.1 Background ....................................................................................................................................................... 12 2.1.1 Historical background .............................................................................................................................................................12 2.1.2 National legal framework ....................................................................................................................................................14 2.2 A statistical overview of the stateless population in Finland .............................................................. 14 2.2.1 Specifics of the data used ...................................................................................................................................................14 2.2.2 The target population .......................................................................................................................................................... 17 2.2.2.1 Groups covered by administrative data .............................................................................................................18 2.2.2.2 Groups not covered by administrative data .................................................................................................. 22 2.3 Qualitative analysis of stateless persons .................................................................................................. 23 2.3.1 Specifics of the information used ................................................................................................................................... 23 2.4 Conclusions and recommendations............................................................................................................ 23 3. Determination of statelessness and rights attached to the status ...................................... 25 3.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................... 25 3.2 National legal framework ............................................................................................................................. 26 3.3 Statelessness determination procedure or other procedures in which statelessness status is determined .................................................................................................................... 29 3.3.1 Competent authority.............................................................................................................................................................. 31 3.3.2 Procedural aspects ..................................................................................................................................................................32 3.3.2.1 Initiating the procedure and the course of the procedure .......................................................................32 3.3.2.2 Questions of proof (burden and standard) ......................................................................................................33 3.3.2.3 Access to courts ............................................................................................................................................................35 3.3.2.4 Other procedural aspects ........................................................................................................................................ 36 4 MAPPING STATELESSNESS IN FINLAND 3.4 Rights of applicants and recognized stateless persons .......................................................................... 37 3.4.1 Rights of applicants during the statelessness determination procedure .....................................................37 3.4.1.1 Detention ............................................................................................................................................................................37 3.4.1.2 Expulsion ........................................................................................................................................................................... 38 3.4.1.3 Public relief and social security ............................................................................................................................. 38 3.4.1.4 Other rights guaranteed ............................................................................................................................................ 38 3.4.2 Rights of persons recognized as stateless .................................................................................................................. 39 3.4.2.1 The right of residence ................................................................................................................................................ 39 3.4.2.2 The right to work ......................................................................................................................................................... 39 3.4.2.3 The right to public relief and social security .................................................................................................40 3.4.2.4 Identification and travel documents ..................................................................................................................40 3.5 Conclusions and recommendations ............................................................................................................ 42 4. Reduction and prevention of statelessness ...................................................................................... 45 4.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................... 45 4.2 National legal framework ............................................................................................................................. 46 4.3 Acquisition and loss of nationality under the national legal framework and the compatibility with international standards ............................................................................................ 46 4.3.1 Avoidance of statelessness at birth................................................................................................................................46 4.3.1.1 Birth on the state’s territory .....................................................................................................................................46 4.3.1.2 Birth outside the state’s territory ..........................................................................................................................49 4.3.1.3 Foundlings.........................................................................................................................................................................49 4.3.1.4 Birth on a ship or aircraft ..........................................................................................................................................50 4.3.2 Avoidance of statelessness upon change in civil status ......................................................................................50 4.3.3 Avoidance of statelessness in the context of renunciation, loss or deprivation of nationality ......50 4.3.4 Reduction of statelessness ................................................................................................................................................ 52 4.3.4.1 Naturalization ................................................................................................................................................................