Syrian law versus foreign civil marriages

In its issue of today, Al Akhbar newspaper featured civil marriage in Syria, pointing out that Syrian legislations not only talks down civil marriage, but also tends to disapprove similar contracts completed outside the borders. There are many cases, Al Akhbar wrote, of couples wed abroad but who remain single on the national registers, which results in stateless children. The newspaper reminded its readers of the campaign launched a year ago by enthusiast activists under the motto, ‘Syrians supporting optional civil marriage’. The campaign was backed by awareness lectures and meetings with the media, in addition to drafting a bill to this end. Yet, hopes faded when activists saw that members of the people’s assembly soon pulled out after showing support in the beginning (https://bit.ly/2MSqL8P).On the legal interpretation of not recognizing a marriage contract signed outside the country, lawyer Lama Qabbani, explained to Al Akhbar the reason behind the non-responsive attitude of the state. She said the rule of the Syrian law implies that every citizen is subject to the law, and therefore, a marriage contracted outside Syria is not documented or recognized. This legally means that the couple are living together without being married, she added. The law has its flaws which should be urgently addressed, Qabbani concluded. (more on the following link: https://bit.ly/2sw7W4x). (Al Akhbar, January 3, 2020.)