Senate OKs on second reading reso on 1961 treaty on reduction of statelessness

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate on Monday approved on second reading a resolution concurring in the accession to the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness.

According to Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, the measure, Proposed Resolution No. 964, will be taken up for third reading approval next week.

A stateless person is defined as someone without a nationality under the law of any state under the 1954 Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons.

The 1961 Convention, according to the measure, establishes a standard system of rules and provides safeguards in addressing statelessness.

It has laid down measures to prevent and reduce statelessness in four areas of concern: statelessness among children, statelessness due to renunciation of nationality, statelessness due to deprivation of nationality, and statelessness in the context of State succession.

According to the measure, the treaty was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte last August 3, 2021.

The resolution must have the concurrence of two-thirds of senators to be passed.