MNA � Sarah Leah Whitson, executive director of Human Rights Watch's Middle East and North Africa Division has welcomed passing a bill by Iranian parliament to grant citizenship to children born of Iranian mothers.

In a post on her Twitter account, Sarah Leah Whitson, executive director of Human Rights Watch's Middle East and North Africa Division welcomed �finally allowing women to pass citizenship to their children,�

She has also called on other Middle Eastern and North African countries, including Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar to do the same.

A bill had been presented to the Iranian parliament that would enable Iranian mothers to pass their nationality to their children. It was considered a major breakthrough in defense of women�s rights in Iran.

Iran's Vice-President for Women and Family Affairs, Masoumeh Ebtekar, and the Vice-Presdient for Legal Affairs Laya Joneydi were attending today�s session at the Iranian Parliament.