NRNs welcome ‘dual citizenship’ provision in Kenya

मिती | August 8, 2010 | Posted By | पहिलो प्रतिकृया दिनुस् | 251 पटक पढेको

Non-Resident Nepali leaders have welcomed the provision of dual citizenship introduced in the new constitution of Kenya that was adopted by a referendum.

Talking to Nepalnews, vice chairman of the NRN Association, Jiba Lamichhane, said, “It is good to see that Kenyan people have finally adopted a new constitution by referendum. It is inspiring for us to see that there is a provision of dual nationality for Non Resident Kenyans. It may be a good example for us to lobby the issue of dual citizenship for NRNs with the government of Nepal and lawmakers to include it in the new constitution that is to be drafted within 10 months.”

The new Kenyan constitution, which includes a bill of rights, has been adopted with approval from 67 percent of the voters, officials said. The official tally was announced Thursday, a day after the referendum. Since its independence, Kenya has had a political system that vests great power in the presidency. The new constitution gives more authority to local government. The new constitution of Kenya has expressly said that “A citizen by birth doesn’t lose citizenship by acquiring the citizenship of another country.”

In Nepal, NRNA has been lobbying to introduce the provision of dual citizenship for NRNs in the new constitution of Nepal. Expressing happiness at the introduction of dual citizenship in the Kenyan constitution, a member of the NRNA patron council and coordinator of the NRNA task force on dual citizenship, Ram Pratap Thapa, said, “Over the last 15 years, developing countries too have begun to realise that they have lost much of their potential by barring the participation of their own people in the development of their country. Nepal government and Nepali lawmakers, hence, should not lag behind in this global movement and open the way to mobilise the potential of NRNs for the development of Nepal,”

Regional coordinator of the NRNA for Europe, Captain (Retd.) Hitman Gurung, said, “Over 70 countries around the world, including Nepal’s immediate neighbours Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, have already introduced the provision of dual citizenship with none or minimal exceptional prohibitions. Hence, we should not make any further delay in introducing the provision that is in the best interests of Nepal.”

Similarly, chairman of the NRN UK, Surya Gurung, recalled that NRNA has been championing the cause “once a Nepali, always a Nepali.” “The new constitution of Kenya has also endorsed the similar concept. Hence, Nepali leaders and lawmakers should consider our demand that Nepalese, wherever they are, should be allowed to retain their citizenship, which will ultimately benefit the country immensely,” said Gurung.

A senior NRNA office-bearer in the Americas, who did not want to be named, admitted that the term ‘dual citizenship’ had created some confusion among the Nepali lawmakers. “I think we should approach our “dual citizenship” issue in the Kenyan way, and re-brand our campaign as the “retention of citizenship” rather than asking for a dual citizenship,” he added.

Analysts, who are watching the constitution drafting exercise in Kenya from close quarters, say Nepal could learn a lot from Kenya. Dr Bipin Adhikari, a constitutional expert, said the issue of dual citizenship must be decided in the larger interest of the country.

“All modern Kenyans understand how important the Kenyans residing abroad are to their economy. They are said to be the second highest foreign currency earner for Kenya remitting over $611 million dollars in 2008. These remittances are a main source of foreign exchange for the country and have significantly contributed to economic growth by providing a source of investment funds,” said Dr Adhikari, adding, “Besides, Kenya’s geo-political situation and neighbourhood situation is different than of Nepal. Some stability in the home front is of prime importance for Nepal to take crucial decisions in this regard. At the moment I think what the Constituent Assembly has proposed is not bad. It could be a basis to move into the future.” nepalnews.com

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