PhD defence Eliyeh Delavari

Keywords: Nationality, Statelessness, Iranian nationality law, Gender discrimination

"Citizenship and Statelessness in Iran: A Comparative Analysis of Iranian Nationality Law and International Standards"

This thesis examines nationality law in Iran and its impact on statelessness and access to basic rights. Nationality is essential because it determines whether a person can fully participate in society and access services such as education, healthcare, and employment. The research focuses on how Iranian nationality law, family law, and administrative practices—such as birth registration—affect who is recognized as a citizen.

By comparing Iranian law with international legal standards, the study finds that existing safeguards are not always sufficient to prevent statelessness, particularly in cases involving gender discrimination. Children born to Iranian mothers and foreign, stateless, or unknown fathers, as well as those lacking proper birth registration, may face significant legal barriers.

The thesis concludes that legal and administrative reforms are needed to better protect vulnerable groups, reduce statelessness, and ensure equal access to nationality in line with international human rights standards.

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