Article 15 of the UDHR

Article 15 of the United Declaration of Human Rights states:

• (1) Everyone has the right to a nationality.
• (2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality.

All people of the world have the right to a nationality, and should be able to participate as a citizen of their nation. This is true for most humans, that we have a claim to at least one nation in the world, with or without choice. The nation which we are born into is not a choice, but there is a choice for most people to keep this nationality, although monetary concerns can greatly limit our right to change nationality. For some, their nationality is a symbol of oppression or they are simply dissatisfied with the nation they are a part of. One could argue that the fact we must have a nationality is a violation of rights, because government is never optional, and government should (in most people's view) give choice and power to the people. Mike Gogulski, an anarchist and hacker, is a former citizen of the United States. He renounced his citizenship from the US at an embassy and Slovakia and burned his passport, symbolizing a breaking of ties with the US. His intention is to protest the US's actions around the world and free himself from democracy, which he sees as inherently evil. I believe his actions are certainly a powerful statement, although somewhat privileged, as he had the funds to move to Slovakia, own a computer and run a business, and finally renounce citizenship. There are many people who absolutely have none of those opportunities. A recent influx of children from Central America has caused a discussion and policymaking about the right to change nationality, and the conditions which people across the Americas are living. Prisoners in Guantanamo Bay detention camp have nearly endless problems about nationality because most countries have deemed them unsuitable and unworthy of nationality. Article 15 of the UDHR is constantly violated but it is a constant issue in our governments and our world.