UNHCR Welcomes Syrian Efforts to Grant Citizenship to Stateless Kurds

The process of granting Syrian citizenship to stateless Kurds residing in Syria is progressing steadily and has received encouragement and support from the international community.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has expressed approval of the efforts to implement Presidential Decree No. 13 of 2026. This decree allows Syrian Kurds who meet the conditions, including those not registered in civil records (stateless individuals), to acquire Syrian citizenship after many years of legal uncertainty due to their lack of recognition as citizens and absence of official civil documentation.

Since April, more than 10,500 individuals have submitted applications for Syrian citizenship, prompting an extension of the application period. The UNHCR supports the Syrian government's efforts by providing awareness and assistance to applicants, viewing the resolution of this issue as a crucial step toward fostering social inclusion and cohesion.

On May 22, the Syrian government announced that it had received 2,892 family applications to naturalize 10,516 individuals since the application window opened on April 6, 2026. Applications have been accepted at designated centers in Damascus, Aleppo, Al-Hasakah, Raqqa, and Deir ez-Zor.

Due to the continued influx of applicants among the stateless Kurds, the Syrian government extended the application submission period by an additional 15 days at selected centers after the initial one-month deadline ended.

The UNHCR does not regard the decree merely as an administrative measure but as a broader solution addressing groups that have suffered for decades from the consequences of the 1962 Al-Hasakah census. That census unexpectedly stripped thousands of individuals of their citizenship, depriving them of fundamental rights including education, healthcare, employment, and civil, political, and cultural rights.

The UNHCR has supported the process by preparing informational materials in coordination with relevant authorities in both Arabic and Kurdish, explaining the application procedures. Its legal partners have also coordinated and assisted applicants at the designated centers. The UNHCR continues to work with its partners to ensure the process remains ongoing and accessible, in coordination with Syrian authorities.

Syrian Interior Minister Anas Khattab confirmed that the ministry continues to implement the provisions of Presidential Decree No. 13 of 2026, issued by President Ahmad Al-Sharaa. The decree addresses the civil and legal status of Syrian Kurdish citizens within a broader framework aimed at reinforcing equal citizenship, social stability, and safeguarding the civil rights of all citizens.

Acting UNHCR Representative in Syria, Asir Al-Madain, stated that resolving the issue of statelessness is a fundamental step toward enhancing protection, promoting social integration, and strengthening community cohesion. He noted that the UNHCR will continue cooperating with authorities and partners to support affected communities and enable them to access their rights and official documentation.