The right to a nationality is a fundamental human right recognized in a series of international legal instruments[1][2][4][5][6]. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, for example, states that “Everyone has the right to a nationality. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality”[1]. The right to nationality implies the right of each individual to acquire, change, and retain a nationality[2].
The right to nationality is universal and applies to everyone, irrespective of age and citizenship or the lack thereof[3]. It applies regardless of one’s nationality and legal status, meaning that the right to nationality applies irrespective of whether a person has a nationality or if the person concerned is stateless[3]. While states can regulate the acquisition and retention of nationality, they must respect fundamental human rights norms in doing so[6].
Citations:
[1] https://www.ohchr.org/en/nationality-and-statelessness/international-standards-relating-nationality-and-statelessness
[2] https://www.ohchr.org/en/nationality-and-statelessness
[3] https://brill.com/display/book/9789004517523/BP000005.xml
[4] https://www.unhcr.org/sites/default/files/legacy-pdf/415825134.pdf
[5] https://standup4humanrights.org/layout/files/30on30/UDHR70-30on30-article15-eng.pdf
[6] https://stories.minorityrights.org/dominican-republic/chapter/legal-section/