The Syrian Initiative to Combat Statelessness 80 and the loss of nationality. In 1954, a convention relating to the Status of Stateless72 Persons was adopted in order to regulate the situation of stateless persons around the world. Article 4 of the convention stipulates: “A Contracting State shall grant its nationality to a person born in its territory”. The convention also obliges each signatory State to “grant its nationality to a person, not born in the territory of a Contracting State, who would otherwise be stateless, if the nationality of one of his parents at the time of the person’s birth was that of that State.” The Convention defined a stateless person as, “a person who is not considered as a national by any State under the operation of its law.” Although Syria is not a State Party to the Convention, the obligation to avoid statelessness is part of customary international law; therefore, binding upon Syria. Given that children are the most affected by statelessness, several international instruments have recognized Children’s right to nationality. According to ICCPR and article 7 of CRC, “Every child shall have the right to acquire nationality”. Furthermore, article 24(2) of ICCPR and article 7 of CRC define the obligations of each State to register children immediately after birth. Article 7 of the Convention of the Rights of Child in Islam stipulates “The child shall have the right from birth to a good name, to be registered by the competent authorities to determine his/her nationality…” The Gaps in Legislative Decree No. 276 and the Constitution Despite the Syrian regime’s persistent claims of ensuring full equality for women and the full enjoyment of their rights, the previously mentioned laws and legislative decrees indicate otherwise. In confirmation of this, the research examines articles of the constitution that are completely contrary to what was indicated earlier. According to Article 2373 of the Syrian Constitution, “The state shall provide women with all opportunities enabling them to effectively and fully contribute to the political, economic, social and cultural life, and the State shall work on removing the restrictions that prevent their development and participation in building society.” While article 3374 stipulates, “Citizens shall be equal in rights and duties 72 relating to the status of stateless persons 73 74 Decree 94 / 2012- Article 23 Ibid- article 33