“Count us in! Building a movement of change for stateless communities” core objective is to build a strong and sustainable movement in the Asia-Pacific region centered on the empowerment of stateless communities, leaders, and their supporters, to develop creative policy solutions, and to change the narrative and public knowledge utilizing stories, voices, and experiences. For millions of people affected by or at risk of statelessness across the Asia Pacific region their voice and identity are denied, often characterised as ‘invisible’ to authorities and the local population, leading to high levels of exclusion, discrimination and persecution. Intersectional discrimination sees stateless women disproportionately impacted by these harms. Acknowledging the presence, talents and capacities of stateless leaders and communities to be a driving force in the development of solutions for stateless people is the purpose of our Count Us In project. It aims to bring people who are affected by statelessness or at risk of statelessness together with CSOs to raise awareness and promote solutions towards granting legal identity and access to inclusive services, ‘being counted in’. Three key activities will be employed to achieve this objective: knowledge and capacity building, national and regional capacity and movement building, and public awareness and advocacy. Knowledge and capacity building Participatory research methods that put research subjects as the drivers of research agendas will be utilised to map the contexts and situations rights holders find themselves in, enabling people living with and at risk of statelessness, including women and youth to share their story, express needs and explore solutions within a wider movement. The project will focus primarily on two national contexts, Indonesia and Cambodia, and work across the region to strengthen collaboration between stateless communities, national networks and CSO’s. Linking and learning between rights holders and civil society underpins the project.

Therefore, research and mapping is essential to ensure that a holistic and comprehensive picture of statelessness nationally and regionally is formed. This will ensure the visibility and inclusion of stateless communities and allow for their active participation in the project at all levels. National and Regional Capacity and Movement Building The project will work with rights holder groups and CSOs in our target countries, holding online consultations and meetings to enhance mutual collaboration between groups to develop national action plans and strategies. We will undertake outreach to groups within target countries and across the region, aiming to facilitate and convene regular dialogue between rights holders, national networks and CSOs to explore network and capacity building and strategic planning. Public Awareness and Advocacy The mapping undertaken in the first year will feed into developing, in collaboration with rightsholders, key messaging for public campaigns and advocacy. Innovative and creative artistic projects and public events involving stateless communities will work to humanise the issue of statelessness amongst the broader public. Good practices from across the region will inform and strengthen policy dialogues with governments and stakeholders at national and regional levels (e.g. National Human Rights Institutions, ASEAN, AICHR, ACWC) one evidence based constructive solutions to realise the rights of people affected by statelessness.

Stateless but Not Voiceless: A Movement for Recognition in Southeast Asia 

In many parts of Southeast Asia, statelessness is a silent crisis. It affects hundreds of thousands of people—many of whom have lived in the same country for generations but lack legal recognition. Without citizenship, they are excluded from education, healthcare, employment, and political participation. They remain invisible in official records and, more often than not, in human rights discussions. 

But this is changing. 

Through community-led advocacy, legal research, and regional engagement, the Count Us In! project, led by Human Rights Working Group (HRWG), SUAKA, Women Peace Makers (WPM), and Nationality for All (NFA), has put statelessness firmly on the ASEAN human rights agenda. For the first time, ASEAN’s official human rights outcome document acknowledged statelessness as a critical issue, marking a milestone for the movement. 

Across Indonesia and Cambodia, affected communities have led the fight for their own recognition—training as advocates, gathering legal evidence, and engaging with governments to push for reform. Through storytelling, films, and research, they have shifted public perceptions and shown the world that statelessness is not just about paperwork—it is about dignity, belonging, and human rights. 

The Power of Recognition: What Has Changed? 

For years, stateless communities have been overlooked in Southeast Asia’s human rights discussions. This project has helped change that by ensuring that stateless people themselves are at the center of the conversation. 

Legal and Policy Breakthroughs 

• ASEAN’s civil society forum (ACSC/APF 2023) officially recognized statelessness as a human rights issue. This is a major step towards influencing regional policies and government action. 

• Five policy papers were submitted to ASEAN and national governments, laying out recommendations on nationality laws and birth registration policies. 

• In Cambodia, four high-level roundtable discussions brought together policymakers and affected communities—the first-time ethnic Vietnamese stateless residents had a seat at the table. 

• Two national advocacy forums in Indonesia and Cambodia provided direct engagement with government officials, legal experts, and human rights defenders. 

New Research and Awareness Campaigns 

• The Statelessness Encyclopedia Asia Pacific (SEAP) was launched, offering the most comprehensive mapping of legal barriers and gaps across the region. 

• 150 stateless individuals were involved in community-led research, ensuring their voices shaped national and regional advocacy. 

• Three short films, two exhibitions, and multiple digital campaigns helped shift public narratives, reaching over 500,000 people across Southeast Asia. 

Building Leadership and Community Power 

• 80+ stateless individuals were trained in advocacy and legal rights, equipping them with the knowledge to fight for change. 

• 10 emerging stateless leaders were identified and mentored, ensuring that the movement remains community-driven beyond the project’s end. 

Lessons Learned: What Worked—and What Didn’t? 

Fighting for the rights of stateless people is complex. Many governments resist reforms, fearing political and social implications. Some communities hesitate to speak out, fearing repercussions. Through this project, important lessons have emerged on how to navigate these challenges. 

What Worked? 

• Centering stateless people in advocacy – The most powerful voices in this fight are those directly affected. By training community leaders and amplifying their voices, the project ensured that change was driven from within. 

• Shaping narratives through storytelling – Legal arguments matter, but personal stories create empathy and shift perceptions. The use of films, exhibitions, and social media helped bring human faces to the issue. 

• Engaging policymakers through structured dialogue – The roundtable discussions in Cambodia and Indonesia proved that when governments listen to affected communities, progress is possible. 

What Were the Pitfalls? 

• Limited legal pathways for recognition: Many Southeast Asian countries lack clear legal frameworks for granting citizenship to stateless individuals, making long-term solutions difficult to secure. 

• Political sensitivity: Statelessness is a highly politicized issue, often tied to ethnic discrimination. This made government engagement slow and complex, requiring careful diplomacy and trust-building. 

• Unequal visibility across countries: While the project made great strides in Indonesia and Cambodia, other countries in the region still lack strong movements for statelessness advocacy. More work is needed to build regional momentum. 

What’s Next? The Fight Continues 

This project has set the stage for lasting change, but the work is far from over. The next phase will focus on: 

• Pushing for statelessness to be included in ASEAN’s 2025-2045 Vision, ensuring it remains a long-term regional priority. 

• Expanding the Statelessness and Dignified Citizenship Coalition (SDCC) to build stronger networks and alliances. 

• Training more youth and community advocates to lead future legal and policy campaigns. 

• Strengthening advocacy for birth registration and nationality laws, preventing future generations from being born stateless. 

This is not just about legal documents… it’s about belonging, security, and human dignity. 

The voices of stateless communities can no longer be ignored. Through advocacy, research, and public engagement, the movement is gaining ground. The challenge now is to turn recognition into real legal and political change… so that no one is denied a nationality, and no one is left without rights.