The Arab Charter of Woman’s Rights has introduced a new legislation in regards of a woman’s citizenship being passed on to their children and their right to marry foreigners.
The charter which consists of 25 articles was drafted by the Arab Parliament which regulates the legislation of the Arab League. The charter addresses issues ranging from compulsory education and health care to job opportunities and services for new mothers which are free, effective and innovative. Furthermore the new legislation is intended to act as a member states guideline for the other member states of the Gulf.
“I hope that launching this declaration serves as a deterrent against claims regarding women’s status in Arab societies,” said Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, the Minister of Tolerance, on behalf of Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the Mother of the Nation, as he launched the charter.
The new legislation states that Arab women should have the right to maintain their citizenship even if they marry a man with a different citizenship, and that the children should be able to inherit the mother’s citizenship at birth if they so desire. The legislation also discusses the matter of when a woman has acquired the citizenship of her husband, at the incident of a divorce or his death, the woman should have the right to revert back to her original citizenship.
Children usually inherit the nationality of their father in the Middle East. The new legislation reflects that the child can now inherit either of his parents’ citizenship.
At the next session of the Arab League, Member States are expected to sign the charter, however, signing it does not make it mandate for the participating countries to change their laws in order to comply with the charter.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.