A group of people sharing a common identity, culture, language, and history, may not possess their own independent political entity recognized on the world stage. This lack of sovereignty means the population lacks representation within established international forums and may experience difficulty exercising self-determination. Kurds, Palestinians, and Roma are examples of such groups.
The absence of recognized statehood impacts numerous facets of life for these populations. It can complicate international travel, restrict access to various rights afforded to citizens of recognized countries, and impede the ability to advocate for their collective interests effectively on a global scale. Historically, the situations that give rise to these types of groups are varied, ranging from the collapse of empires and arbitrary border demarcations to the denial of self-determination by dominant powers.
