The Supreme Court of Norway will review two cases involving the revocation of citizenship granted under false premises. The applicants - one man and a married couple - misrepresented themselves as stateless Palestinians when applying for asylum and were later found to be Jordanian citizens. They had lived in Norway for over 30 years, including about 20 years as citizens.
The Court of Appeal ruled in favour of the applicants, finding the revocation disproportionate given their long residence and integration. The UNE appealed, arguing that the use of false identities undermines trust in the asylum system and justifies revocation. The case will address whether revoking citizenship in such cases is proportionate and if it violates human rights protections.
Norway’s Nationality Act requires a proportionality assessment for citizenship revocation, and recent legal changes focus on fairness and the consequences of such decisions, which can include expulsion or alternative permits. The Supreme Court’s decision will clarify the balance between immigration integrity and individual rights.