Refusal to grant citizenship

Refusal to grant nationality signifies a denial of political rights and rights of protection by a state. It may result in the creation of refugees and statelessness, the possibility of foreign extradition and a restriction on the freedom of movement. Refusal to grant nationality is very closely connected with deprivation of nationality which may occur if a new nationality is granted. Countries may refuse to grant asylum to persons exiled for political reasons or for particular misdemeanours; countries may refuse to give equal national status to ethnic groups.

In 1990 in Japan, as an example, 650,000 Koreans still living in Japan three generations after they were brought there as labourers continue to be refused citizenship.