ECtHR - Ramadan v Malta

Court name: European Court of Human Rights
State: Malta
Date of decision:
Legal instruments: 1997 European Convention on Nationality, European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), European Union law
Key aspects: Acquisition of nationality, Deprivation of nationality, Respect for private and family life, Statelessness determination

Egyptian national, who was granted the ability to revoke his Egyptian citizenship, was deprived of his Maltese citizenship years later after the State’s decision that he had obtained his Maltese citizenship from his first marriage through fraud. The Court found that there was no Article 8 violation, holding that the decision to deprive the applicant of his Maltese citizenship did not adversely affect him as a stateless individual, as the decision complied with the law and the applicant had opportunities to seek redress for any potential issues that would arise as a result of the State’s actions.