Statelessness has impacted the lives of thousands in Syria, exacerbated by decades of discriminatory policies by the previous Assad regime and the devastating consequences of conflicts in the area. While there is a lack of reliable statistics, it is estimated that almost 3% of Syria's population are without any nationality. Statelessness in Syria has created challenges for countries that welcomed refugees from Syria around the globe.
On 8 December 2024, 14 years after the Syrian revolution started, which later led to a long civil war, armed opposition groups captured Damascus, effectively ending Bashar al-Assad’s regime. This shift offers a chance to address long-standing issues of statelessness affecting groups such as Kurds, Palestinian refugees, and children born to Syrian mothers and foreign fathers. Statelessness can result in limited access to essential services and rights, perpetuating exclusion and instability. Addressing this issue is crucial for building an inclusive and stable post-Assad Syria.
Background
The roots of statelessness in Syria are multifaceted. A 1962 census in the northeastern province of Hasakah stripped approximately 120,000 Kurds of their citizenship, rendering them stateless overnight. This number has since grown to hundreds of thousands. Stateless Kurds, referred to as "ajanib" (foreigners) and "maktoumeen" (unregistered), were denied basic rights and access to state services.
Additionally, discriminatory provisions in Syria’s nationality law prevent women from passing their nationality to their children. This has led to statelessness among children born to Syrian mothers and foreign or stateless (or absent/unknown) fathers, particularly in refugee contexts (Albarazi & van Waas, 2016). Many women heads of households struggle to register their children’s births, heightening the risk of statelessness and restricting access to education and healthcare (Human Rights Watch, 2025). The prolonged conflict has exacerbated these issues, with documentation lost or destroyed and many children born outside formal registration systems.
Palestinian refugees in Syria also face unique challenges. Since their initial displacement in 1948, Palestinian refugees have lived in Syria without full political rights, despite the passage of Law No. 260 in 1956, which granted them civil rights similar to some extent to Syrian citizens while somehow ensuring that they preserve their original roots. This law enabled Palestinian refugees to access the labour market, own property with some restrictions, and access public services, but excluded them from political participation. The protracted conflict in Syria further worsened their situation, particularly with the destruction of major refugee camps like Yarmouk in 2015 and restrictions on movement during the Assad regime.Â
In a notable move, between December 2024 and March 2025, in the Syrian caretaker government, a Palestinian refugee, Ghiath Diab, was appointed as the Minister of Oil. This appointment marks the first time a stateless person has held a ministerial position in Syria. His appointment underscores the important role of Palestinian refugees in a new Syria and might symbolise an important shift toward inclusivity of stateless groups.
Key Recommendations
Now is an opportunity to address the protracted challenges facing Syria’s stateless populations and work towards ending statelessness in the country. Here is what needs to happen:
1. Legal Reforms to Guarantee the Right to Nationality
A comprehensive reform of Syria’s nationality law is required to be aligned with international standards. This should include measure to:
- Eliminate gender discrimination in Syrian nationality law: Amend Syrian nationality law to ensure Syrian women are able to confer their nationality to their children on an equal basis with men, as recommended by the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
- Accede to international statelessness conventions: Syria should accede to both the 1954 Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons and the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness to commit to international legal standards on the protection and prevention of statelessness.
- Implement statelessness reduction measures to enable stateless Syrians to acquire or confirm their Syrian citizenship: Establish clear procedures for identifying stateless persons in Syria and confirming or facilitating access to Syrian citizenship in line with the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness and UNHCR Guidance.
- Introduce a statelessness determination procedure: Establish a statelessness determination procedure and protection status to give effect to the rights enshrined in the 1954 Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons for stateless migrants and refugees in Syria
- Restore citizenship to populations stripped of their Syrian citizenship: Reinstate Syrian citizenship to Kurdish populations and other groups who were arbitrarily deprived of their nationalityÂ
- Facilitate access to Syrian citizenship for Palestinian refugees in Syria: Provide pathways for Palestinian refugees to acquire Syrian nationality should they choose, without undermining their right to return to Palestine.
2. Judicial and Administrative Remedies
Establishing accessible legal avenues for individuals to challenge wrongful denial or deprivation of nationality is essential. This includes:
- Independent Review Mechanisms: Create independent bodies to review cases of statelessness and citizenship denial or deprivation
- Legal Aid Services: Provide free or affordable legal aid for stateless individuals seeking to resolve their nationality status or access protection as stateless persons in SyriaÂ
3. Public Awareness Campaigns
Public awareness initiatives are crucial to educate the population about their rights and the importance of civil registration and citizenship.Â
- Legal Literacy programmes: Educate communities about the procedures for obtaining nationality and registering vital eventsÂ
- Community Outreach: Engage local leaders and civil society organisations to promote civil registration and combat social stigma associated with statelessnessÂ
International Support
Preventing and addressing statelessness in Syria will require coordinated international support and resourcing for local and community-led organisationsÂ
- Technical Assistance: International organisations such as UNHCR and UNICEF can provide technical assistance for legal reforms and capacity buildingÂ
- Funding: Donor countries and foundations should support efforts to modernise Syria’s civil registration infrastructure and implement inclusion and legal aid/legal assistance programmes
- Monitoring and Advocacy: International human rights bodies should monitor progress and advocate for the protection of stateless persons’ rights and the right to a nationalityÂ
Conclusion
The fall of the Assad regime presents a critical opportunity for Syria to address the longstanding issue of statelessness and build a more inclusive and equitable society. By implementing legal reforms, strengthening civil registration systems, raising public awareness, and integrating stateless populations, Syria can prevent and reduce statelessness on its territory and uphold the fundamental right to nationality. These measures are not only essential for individual dignity and human rights but also for fostering national stability and social cohesion in a post-conflict era.
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