Inspired by Third World Approaches to International Law (TWAIL), this talk will examine how domestic and international law operate in such contexts, diverging from the norms presented in mainstream legal literature.

Focusing on the specificities of the Syrian Nationality Law and its associated legal culture, in this talk we will argue that Syria represents a perhaps extreme case in which (international) law does not behave as scholars working in western liberal democratic contexts might expect. Combining shared reflection with Syrian research participants, including legal practitioners as well as individuals subjected to the law’s provisions, and engaging with academic contributions from political science and sociology on performative politics, the speaker will present a theorisation of the farce (maskhara) of Syrian Nationality law.

The case study of the (non-)application of the Nationality Law in Syria, and the resulting child statelessness despite legal safeguards against it, demonstrates how law is shaped by, and must be interpreted through, the political environment. This talk ultimately foregrounds how law is understood by local legal practitioners and the broader population.

At the EUI and the Robert Schuman Centre, we are dedicated to removing barriers and providing equal opportunities for everyone. Please indicate in the registration form your accessibility needs, if any. Alternatively, you can contact the logistics organiser of the event.