DUAL CITIZENSHIP BILL PASSED
Yerevan, February 26, Armenpress: Armenia's parliament has endorsed today in the second and final reading a draft legislation allowing foreign nationals of Armenian descent to become citizens of Armenia. The bill was supported by 66 votes with 5 votes against and one abstention.
The legislation consisting of a package of bills on making changes to a set of laws regulates practical modalities of dual citizenship, which was introduced in Armenia in November 2005 as part of a constitutional reform. Just minister David Harutunian, who presented the bill, said a change made to the bill says that people with dual citizenship can take part in Armenian elections only given they are registered in Armenia as residents of the country. This in turn requires that they should be registered also by military commissariats.
The bill says that citizenship of Armenia may be claimed by people of Armenian descent aged 18 and more who have a three-year permanent residential record in the country, who are able to speak Armenia and who are familiar with its constitution. Besides, the citizenship may be granted to couples in which one of the spouses or their child is a citizen of Armenia.
The bill denies Armenian citizenship to people whose activity may damage the country's national interests. People with dual citizenship can participate in elections but will not be allowed to run for Armenian presidency and seek a seat in the National Assembly. People with dual citizenship may serve in the Armenian army, but they are exempted from it if they have served 12 months in the regular armed forces in the country of their primary citizenship or 18 months as alternative military service.
It also says citizens of Armenia who have received a second citizenship are not exempted from mandatory service in the Armenian armed forces. The legislation was opposed by five lawmakers from the pro-government United Labor Party because it stipulates that members of Armenia's government can be dual citizens. Party chairman Gurgen Arsenian argues that this means a partial loss of Armenia's sovereignty.
The passage of the legislation was hailed today by a representative of the ARF, Ruben Hovsepian, who described it as another chance for Armenians worldwide to rally around their homeland. "This legislation will allow our compatriots living in different countries to feel themselves full citizens of Armenia," he said.
But Andranik Hovakimian from the former ruling Armenian National Movement (ANM) said it will create only new problems, increase such vices as corruption and give rise to xenophobic sentiments in Armenia. "Only people who lived and continue living in Armenia must be eligible to decide the fate of their country and its domestic and foreign policies," he said, accusing the ARF of championing the legislation with one aim- to win more votes in national elections as it has many supporters among Diaspora Armenians.'
Source: Armenpress
The legislation consisting of a package of bills on making changes to a set of laws regulates practical modalities of dual citizenship, which was introduced in Armenia in November 2005 as part of a constitutional reform. Just minister David Harutunian, who presented the bill, said a change made to the bill says that people with dual citizenship can take part in Armenian elections only given they are registered in Armenia as residents of the country. This in turn requires that they should be registered also by military commissariats.
The bill says that citizenship of Armenia may be claimed by people of Armenian descent aged 18 and more who have a three-year permanent residential record in the country, who are able to speak Armenia and who are familiar with its constitution. Besides, the citizenship may be granted to couples in which one of the spouses or their child is a citizen of Armenia.
The bill denies Armenian citizenship to people whose activity may damage the country's national interests. People with dual citizenship can participate in elections but will not be allowed to run for Armenian presidency and seek a seat in the National Assembly. People with dual citizenship may serve in the Armenian army, but they are exempted from it if they have served 12 months in the regular armed forces in the country of their primary citizenship or 18 months as alternative military service.
It also says citizens of Armenia who have received a second citizenship are not exempted from mandatory service in the Armenian armed forces. The legislation was opposed by five lawmakers from the pro-government United Labor Party because it stipulates that members of Armenia's government can be dual citizens. Party chairman Gurgen Arsenian argues that this means a partial loss of Armenia's sovereignty.
The passage of the legislation was hailed today by a representative of the ARF, Ruben Hovsepian, who described it as another chance for Armenians worldwide to rally around their homeland. "This legislation will allow our compatriots living in different countries to feel themselves full citizens of Armenia," he said.
But Andranik Hovakimian from the former ruling Armenian National Movement (ANM) said it will create only new problems, increase such vices as corruption and give rise to xenophobic sentiments in Armenia. "Only people who lived and continue living in Armenia must be eligible to decide the fate of their country and its domestic and foreign policies," he said, accusing the ARF of championing the legislation with one aim- to win more votes in national elections as it has many supporters among Diaspora Armenians.'
Source: Armenpress
posted by Raffi K. at 10:58 PM
13 Comments:
I kind of get why so many people are "threatened" by this... but really, if I am a diasporan who owns property in Armenia, lives there on and off, or even has invested in business there... shouldn't I be allowed, as an Armenian, to vote for the laws/people which will govern my property and business?
I think that was never in doubt - it's the ones not living there that was in question. This bill, apparently, gives anyone holding the passport a right to vote... like the USA.
The article makes it a bit confusing, but that is what I understood.
according to article on www.armeniadiaspora.com "People with dual citizenship may serve in the Armenian army, but they are exempted from it if they have served 12 months in the regular armed forces in the country of their primary citizenship or 18 months as alternative military service."
I wonder how that applies to those in their late 20's, 30's and on without prior military service, who've lived in Armenia for several years.. not that anyone should mind doing military service in Armenia regardless of age...
There are a few points that are not being mentioned here.
Someone abroad, who's never been to Armenia, or has been on vacation, but not actually 'resided' in the country, CAN'T GET IT. We're making it seem like the Republic is ready to just hand out millions of passports freely.
-You have to be of Armenian descent;
-You have to be 18 years old or older;
-You have to have a three-year permanent residential record in the country;
-You are able to speak Armenian;
-You are familiar with its Constitution.
There are other rules as well, such as: you can't be president or become a member in the National Assembly. There's also the issue of military service.
Ah, that is much stricter than the RFE/RL article got into... you pretty much have to immigrate to Armenia in order to get it. Too bad - as if it's any skin off of Armenia's back if people have a REAL Armenian passport. I'm changing the article in my post to the ArmeniaDiaspora one since it is much more detailed.
Pedro, I think you don't have to serve in the military after age 28, I'm not sure. In any case, it is a problem for people who originate in countries without military service. I for one don't want to spend a year or two in the military. I'd rather pay a professional volunteer army, personally.
Raffi, you are correct, any male 28 (or it might even be 27) years old or older does not have to serve in the army. There are many points that can relieve someone from serving, if I’m not mistaken, one of the points is "if you're a father of two or more kids."
I personally know 4 people that are supposed to start serving in June. They’re going through strict medical tests at this point. A relative of mine didn't have to serve because he had a minor spinal issue.
Anyway, I personally think the "minimum 3 year residency in Armenia" point is acceptable. A fellow blogger who lives abroad told me yesterday he doesn't think he deserves to get citizenship if he has never really lived here. I suppose the fee on the 10-year passports should be improved. It roughly costs $400-500 to get one in Armenia. It's almost impossible to not pay the $100 bribe they shamelessly demand from you when you go to pick up your passport.
There is no 3-year minimum residency requirement for diasporans willing to take Armenian citizenship. Armenpress got it wrong.
I think they meant to say 3-year minimum residency to vote.
Ah, who knows ... we'll soon see what the details are.
No, there is no residency requirement for voting, either. You just have to come to Armenia and register and vote here. The bill must be available on the parliament website: www.parliament.am
Well there is an actual 3-year point somewhere. Today someone told me that they did actually say on TV that you do need to live in Armenia for 3 years to be approved. I would think that also applies for electing. If not, I do not agree one bit with any one abroad, who hasn't recently spent enough time living in Armenia, and understanding Armenian politics and the situation in the country to vote freely.
Remember, this all applies to someone who wants Dual Citizenship, not to give up their current citizenship for an Armenian one.
Read the law. There is no residency threshold for the voting rights. That was the whole point of the parliament debate. All parties except ARF were against giving diaspora citizens unconditional voting rights. The Republicans were saying that you have to live in Armenia for at least one of the past five years if you want to vote. They went along with the bill only because Kocharian told them to...
The 'Citizenship Law' has not been posted on parliament.am yet. It's still the old law on the website. So until the law is posted, everything we discuss will be speculation. I wouldn't trust the interpretations in news media either. Many times the journalists are either incompetent, ignorant or are pursuing an agenda.
This is the link to the old law:
http://www.parliament.am/legislation.php?sel=show&ID=1731&lang=arm
You can keep an eye on the law page at:
http://www.parliament.am/legislation.php?sel=subject&lang=arm
It's easier to find it in ' ' section.
I don't think that it's fair, I was born in Armenia and I had Armenian citizenship before I moved to the US, so shouldn't I be entitled to Citizenship even if I don't live there (I lived there only 2 years till I left, but I spend my summers there now). Up until 5 years ago I was an Armenian citizen, but when I got my US citizenship I lost my Armenian one. So then shouldn't I get it back, considering just a few year's back I was a citizen?
Also I would have no problem with military service if they got the army in order. I refuse to serve in an army full of abuse and corruption. Where soldiers are treated as sub human. My friends have been in the Armenian army, and it's terrible, one of them was stabbed by an officer for not coming to attention fast enough.
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