Syria: Information on whether a stateless Palestinian born in Syria and travelling on a Syrian travel document needs to provide proof of military exemption or postponement in order to have the travel document extended in Syria or abroad
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 May 1994 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | SYR17238.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Syria: Information on whether a stateless Palestinian born in Syria and travelling on a Syrian travel document needs to provide proof of military exemption or postponement in order to have the travel document extended in Syria or abroad, 1 May 1994, SYR17238.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ab9384.html [accessed 21 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
An official at the consular section of the Embassy of the Syrian Arab Republic in Washington stated that stateless Palestinians born in Syria are required to undergo a period of military service in the same manner as Syrian citizens (17 May 1994). The official stated that if a Palestinian wishes to have his or her travel document extended while in Syria or abroad, the individual must first prove that he or she has been exempted from performing military service or has received a postponement (ibid.).
The official stated that when the government grants an individual a military exemption or postponement it issues that person an official document to that effect (ibid.). She said that exemption documents are originally valid for six years while postponement documents are valid for a period of two years (ibid.). She added that persons granted a military postponement can apply to have the postponement extended abroad or in Syria and the accompanying document renewed, and that individuals granted military exemptions can have the accompanying document renewed (ibid.).
The representative stated that, in order to have his or her travel document extended, an individual would have to provide authorities with a copy of his or her military exemption or postponement document (ibid.). She added that the relevant document may be sent to a Syrian embassy by mail (ibid.).
This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
Reference
Embassy of the Syrian Arab Republic, Washington, DC. 17 May 1994. Telephone interview with official.
