21 February 2025 — At this year’s State of Play Assessment on Statelessness in Europe, the European Network on Statelessness (ENS) unveiled new country profiles and highlighted major developments across the region. Among the many expert contributions, one intervention stood out for its clarity, urgency, and community-rooted perspective — the remarks delivered by Adam Labaran, Vice President of the União de Refugiados em Portugal (UREP).
Representing an organisation led by individuals with lived experience of displacement, Adam emphasised that genuine progress in tackling statelessness requires more than laws on paper. It demands implementation shaped by the people most impacted.
“Portugal has shown willingness to improve,” Adam said, “but change only becomes real when impacted individuals are included in designing the solutions. At UREP, we’ve made it our mission to bridge that gap — and we’re seeing results.”
During the webinar, Adam outlined recent achievements in Portugal made possible through cooperation between civil society and public authorities. These include improved access to documentation for people at risk of statelessness and stronger partnerships between community groups and local municipalities.
Participants praised Adam’s focus on practical, real-world solutions — from helping families navigate complex registration procedures to advocating for clearer administrative pathways for undocumented children.
ENS Legal Officer Cameron Nye highlighted the significance of Adam’s role, noting that leaders from refugee- and stateless-led organisations are essential in shaping Europe’s response. “UREP’s work shows what is possible when communities are empowered,” he said.
As Europe continues to face challenges in identifying and protecting stateless people, Adam Labaran’s intervention served as a powerful reminder: progress is strongest where policy meets community leadership. And in Portugal, that combination is gaining momentum.