Lesotho made declarations and reservations to Articles 8, 9, 25, and 31 of the 1954 Convention, which restrict stateless persons’ access to administrative assistance and may undermine their protection against expulsion or unfair treatment. Birth registration rates remain low, which increases the risk of childhood statelessness. While the 1971 Citizenship Order allows for naturalization and provides for the registration of stateless persons as citizens, restrictive criteria limit access. The Nationality Act grants nationality to foundlings only at the time of birth and restricts transmission of nationality to children born abroad if both parents were also born outside Lesotho.

Despite these challenges, Lesotho has demonstrated political will to strengthen protection frameworks. In 2025, a qualitative study on statelessness was launched in Lesotho, marking a key step toward identifying populations at risk. In parallel, the Government is in the process of amending its Immigration and Citizenship Act, with the aim of granting nationality to children born in Lesotho who would otherwise be stateless. Lesotho’s ongoing legal reform efforts present an opportunity to align national frameworks more closely with international standards and to strengthen protections for both refugees and stateless persons.