DRAFT BILL ON DUAL CITIZENSHIP INTRODUCED IN RA PARLIAMENT

PanARMENIAN.Net
06.04.2006 00:07 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Levon Mkrtchian, National Assembly’s Armenian
Revolutionary Federation (ARF) faction leader and Armen Rustamian
introduced on Wednesday the concept of a draft law, which would grant
a dual citizenship right to foreign Armenians.

“During the Constitutional referendum, the ARF presented its view on
this issue and our support of the constitutional amendments stemmed
from this stance,” Armen Rustamian said. “The ARF has prepared a
concept that could become the base for further discussions.” He said
three key issues would be resolved: organizing of worldwide Armenians
to contribute in national goals; new possibilities for Armenia’s
strengthening; and protection of rights of Armenians around the world.

He noted that while working on the concept the international practices
were studied to make the law compliant with international laws also
put in balance the rights and obligations. Levon Mkrtchian, in turn,
said a group of professionals, including Constitutional Court Chairman
Gagik Harutyunian, worked at the draft law. The concept consists of 15
sections each of which is to become a chapter in the future law. “The
dual citizenship for Armenians stems from the unique situation the
Armenians have found themselves after the Genocide,” Mkrtchian said.

Rustamian and Mkrtchian spoke of the necessity to clearly define
the rights and obligations, including the right to elect and be
elected. The concept will be submitted to the National Assembly as
a draft law in the fall, reported Yerkir Online.