<![CDATA[This article examines the normative tension between state sovereignty and international legal obligations in addressing statelessness among the Bajau Laut in Southeast Asia. Employing a normative juridical method with a comparative approach, the study analyses legal frameworks and practices in Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines concerning nationality, civil registration, and the protection of maritime nomadic communities. The findings reveal that state responses remain fragmented and predominantly driven by security and migration control considerations, resulting in inconsistent and often inadequate protection for the Bajau Laut, particularly in maritime border areas. Furthermore, domestic legal regimes in the three countries are only partially aligned with international standards on statelessness and the protection of indigenous peoples, leading to persistent legal invisibility and limited access to basic rights. This article contributes to the literature by proposing a regional cooperative legal framework that integrates nationality law harmonisation, adaptive civil registration mechanisms, and cross-border administrative coordination. Such a framework aims to enhance access to nationality and fundamental services for the Bajau Laut while maintaining respect for state sovereignty and reinforcing compliance with international human rights obligations.]]>
Copyrights © 2026
