Examination of Citizenship Rights and Legitimate Freedoms in the Legal System of the Islamic Republic of Iran with a Jurisprudential Approach and in Light of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Keywords:
Citizenship rights, legitimate freedom, Imami jurisprudence, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Constitution of IranAbstract
The present study was conducted with the aim of examining the status of citizenship rights and legitimate freedoms within the legal system of the Islamic Republic of Iran through a jurisprudential approach and a comparative analysis with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Citizenship rights, as a set of fundamental rights of individuals vis-à-vis the state, play a crucial role in guaranteeing human dignity and social justice. The present research employs a descriptive–analytical method and, through the utilization of jurisprudential sources, legal doctrines, and international legal instruments, examines the theoretical, normative, and operational foundations of citizenship rights. The findings of the research indicate that the principles of Imami jurisprudence, such as justice, human dignity, the principle of no harm (la darar), and consultation (shura), possess significant capacity for supporting citizenship rights. However, the limitations arising from the qualification of “Islamic criteria” within the Constitution of Iran have restricted the scope of certain freedoms. In the comparative analysis with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (United Nations, 1948), substantial overlap is observed in areas such as the right to a fair trial and the prohibition of torture; nevertheless, differences exist regarding freedom of religion, freedom of expression, and certain dimensions of gender equality. By examining interpretive and implementation-related challenges and by highlighting the capacities of dynamic ijtihad and the principle of expediency (maslahah), the present study proposes a model for strengthening citizenship rights within the framework of Imami jurisprudence. The results demonstrate that, through jurisprudential reinterpretation and the development of legislative frameworks, greater compatibility between Iran’s legal system and international human rights standards can be achieved.
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