Mali has passed a landmark law to protect stateless people by providing a path to nationality and access to essential services, earning praise from the UNHCR as a major human rights achievement.

The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has commended Mali for enacting a groundbreaking law designed to protect stateless individuals and provide legal pathways to nationality, marking a significant human rights milestone in West Africa.

The newly adopted legislation offers a comprehensive framework to address statelessness — a condition where individuals are not recognised as citizens by any country. The law guarantees the right to nationality, ensures equal access to essential services such as healthcare and education, and explicitly prohibits expulsion or penalties based solely on lack of legal documentation.

This move is particularly transformative for nomadic groups, long-term refugees, and undocumented persons, many of whom have faced generations of legal and social exclusion. According to the UNHCR, the law represents a major advancement in securing rights for some of Mali’s most vulnerable populations.

“Statelessness can leave people trapped in limbo, unable to access even the most basic rights,” said Valentin Tapsoba, UNHCR’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa. “Mali’s new law sets a precedent in the region and sends a powerful message that everyone deserves a legal identity and a place to belong.”

Since 2017, with the support of the UNHCR and other partners, Mali has made steady progress in addressing statelessness. Nearly 2,400 people have been granted Malian nationality, while over 30,000 individuals have received vital civil documentation, such as birth certificates and identity cards — a key step in asserting legal identity.

The UNHCR praised Mali’s political commitment to the cause and pledged continued support to ensure the law’s effective implementation, including awareness campaigns, capacity-building for civil authorities, and outreach to affected communities.

Globally, the UN has set a target to end statelessness by 2024 under its “#IBelong” campaign. While significant challenges remain, Mali’s legislative action is being viewed as a model for other countries in the region grappling with similar issues.

As the law takes effect, human rights advocates are hopeful it will not only reduce the risk of statelessness but also enhance social inclusion, national cohesion, and long-term stability in Mali — a country that has faced years of conflict and displacement.

“This is more than a legal reform,” said Tapsoba. “It is a reaffirmation of the principle that every person has the right to belong.”