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Syria

Marital status discrimination

In cases where Syrian women have children outside of wedlock, or as a result of sexual violence, the lack of legal paternity leaves children vulnerable to statelessness. A child born to unwed parents may not be legally registered until either the parents marry or through a court order. The CRC noted in 2012 the difficulties of birth registration in Syria for children born out of wedlock who cannot establish paternal filiation, and children born from situations of sexual violence. In 2019, the CRC expressed concern over lack of information from Syria on the measures taken to ensure that children of Muslim mothers and non-Muslim fathers, children born to unmarried parents, and children born from situations of sexual violence do not face undue hurdles in having access to birth registration. In 2025 an NGO submission stated regulations remained unchanged.

Additional Documentation

Flag_of_Syria_(2025-)

Bordering Practice

Social

Region

Middle East & North Africa

Local Organizations

International Organizations