Geneva, June 6 (SANA) The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has welcomed efforts to implement Presidential Decree No. 13 of 2026, which allows eligible Syrian Kurds, including those previously unregistered in civil records, to obtain Syrian citizenship after decades of legal uncertainty.
More than 10,500 individuals have applied since April 2026, according to UNHCR, and the application period has been extended amid continued demand.
The agency said in a press release that it is supporting awareness campaigns and providing assistance to applicants, emphasizing that addressing statelessness is critical for social inclusion and cohesion.
Syrian authorities announced on May 22 that they had received 2,892 family applications covering 10,516 individuals since the process opened on April 6, 2026, through dedicated centers in Damascus, Aleppo, Hasakah, Raqqa, and Deir Ezzor.
With applications ongoing, authorities extended the submission deadline by an additional 15 days in selected centers after the initial one-month period expired.
UNHCR stressed that the decree represents more than an administrative measure, describing it as a significant step toward resolving long-standing issues stemming from the 1962 Hasakah census, which stripped thousands of people of citizenship and deprived them of basic rights such as education, healthcare, employment, and civil and political participation.
In support of the process, UNHCR said it has produced informational materials in Arabic and Kurdish explaining application procedures, while legal partners are providing guidance and assistance at application centers.
Syrian Interior Minister Anas Khattab affirmed that the ministry continues to implement the decree issued by President Ahmad al-Sharaa as part of broader efforts to address civil and legal status issues and promote equal citizenship, social stability and the protection of civil rights.
For her part, acting UNHCR representative in Syria Aseer al-Madaien said, “Addressing statelessness is critical to strengthening protection, fostering inclusion and promoting social cohesion.”
She added that UNHCR would continue working with the authorities and partners to support affected communities in accessing their rights and documentation.
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