h. Risks of Financial Exploitation and Brokerage Interviews documented cases in which applicants paid varying amounts to obtain required documents from local mukhtars. Participants also reported receiving offers from brokers or intermediaries claiming they could facilitate registration or complete procedures without the applicant’s personal attendance in exchange for substantial fees. Dilsher Ramo Ali stated: “Some mukhtars asked for 60,000 Syrian pounds for a single document before I was eventually able to obtain it for 35,000.” Mohammad Youssef also reported: “My father received an offer to process his documents for 1,000 US dollars without having to appear in person.” Although there is no indication that such practices are widespread, their continued occurrence raises concerns about integrity, equal access, and procedural fairness. These findings point to the need for stronger oversight of registration-related procedures and for transparent official channels through which applicants can access information and services, thereby reducing the risks of financial exploitation and unlawful brokerage. Third: Legal and Human Rights Assessment Article 4 of Decree No. 13 of 2026 represents an important development in addressing the consequences of the 1962 Exceptional Census. In principle, it establishes a legal framework for restoring Syrian nationality to a large number of Kurds who were deprived of it for decades. It also provides a basis for resolving the situation of Unregistered Persons (Maktoumeen al-Qayd), enabling them to regain legal recognition and exercise the rights associated with citizenship. The information gathered during the preparation of this report indicates a broad degree of alignment between the objectives of Article 4 of Decree No. 13 of 2026 and the measures adopted for its implementation. Nevertheless, monitoring findings revealed a gap between the legal framework and its practical implementation in certain procedural aspects. This was reflected in variations in practice across registration centres, inconsistencies in the application of some requirements, and limited information available to applicants regarding the different stages of the process and the criteria governing them. Interviews and legal observations further indicated that the absence of clear, publicly available implementation guidelines has led to differing interpretations of some procedures and documentation requirements, reducing legal certainty for applicants. SYNERGY | contact@hevdesti.org | www.hevdesti.org Page 14 of 19