https://www.flickr.com/photos/unhcr/set
In 1991, Latvia and Estonia re-established their independence. The dissolution of the USSR paved the way towards new citizenship legislation, but policies put nationality out of reach for one segment of the population residing on their territories.
In Latvia, they are known as ‘non-citizens’ and issued with passports, with a different colour to those of Latvian nationals, which clearly indicate their status.
In Estonia, too, stateless people are issued with an ‘alien’s passport,’ commonly known as a ‘grey passport’ due to its colour.
In this photo set, the stories of stateless and formerly stateless people in Latvia and Estonia are brought to light. Some of those featured continue to live a life in limbo, while others have acquired nationality by successfully passing a number of mandatory exams.
However, times are changing and there is hope on the horizon. In Estonia, a new law means that from 2016 nobody will be born stateless. Additionally, all children up to the age of 15 who were born stateless in Estonia will acquire nationality, and elderly stateless people will find it easier to do the same.
Latvia is also allowing children of stateless people who were born in their territory to acquire nationality in a simplified way.
Here are their stories.
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