WAITING FOR THE DRAFT LAW: THE CONCEPT NOTE RECEIVED POSITIVE FEEDBACK
By Karine Mangassarian

Yerkir.am
April 14, 2006

Last week, Levon Mkrtchian, leader of the National Assembly’s
Armenian Revolutionary Federation faction and ARF Armenia Supreme Body
representative Armen Rustamian presented at the National Assembly the
concept of the Law on Granting Dual Citizenship Status to Armenians
Abroad.

ARF had articulated its position on the issue during the constitutional
referendum. Armen Rustamian stated that the present concept note can
serve as the foundation for further establishment of the institute
of dual citizenship.

We asked several political leaders to comment on the concept note
and the concerns they had voiced during the constitutional referendum
campaign.

Before presenting the concept note Armen Rustamian stated that the
concept note has three main goals: organizing the world-spread Diaspora
around national goals, creation of new opportunities for strengthening
Armenia, and protection of the rights of Armenians in other countries.

Head of the parliamentary faction of the Republican Party Galust
Sahakian noted that his faction has read the concept note but does
not have any specific feedback yet.

“It was a result of a political consensus and during the referendum
campaign we supported elimination of the ban on dual citizenship. I
think when a draft law is elaborated based on this concept note our
faction will discuss it,” Sahakian said noting that his party has
discussed the concept note many times and believes the wording of
some provisions is not clear enough.

“There are some provisions that can be interpreted in different
ways but I think these uncertainties will later be eliminated. These
provisions deal with the right to vote and be elected, issues connected
with military service. The overall idea behind the law will be that
individuals with dual citizenship who exercise their rights and
fulfill their obligations in the homeland will have the right to
fully participate in these processes,” Sahakian said.

Chairman of the National Democratic Party, member of the National
Assembly Shavarsh Kocharian believes the concept note contains the main
provisions that currently exist in the international experience. “The
concept note indicates the main directions.

The final feedback will be possible only after the draft law is
elaborated. I want to stress one important issue that is in the center
of attention of our public. The concept note stipulates that only
individuals with dual citizenship who permanently live in Armenia
will have the right to vote.

This means that people with dual citizenship who do not live in Armenia
will not be able to participate in the elections in Armenia. The second
point I want to stress is that the right to be elected and the right
to occupy public posts can be limited, which I think is logical,”
Kocharian said adding that his party fully supports this limitation.

“We had presented our concerns in the text of the constitution we
had proposed. However, since the concept note contains provisions
on such limitations, I don’t see any reasons to worry,” Kocharian
concluded. Are there any suggestions that were not included into the
concept note? Commenting on this question Kocharian noted that once
the draft is elaborated further proposals can be made.

Member of the National Unity Party’s parliamentary faction Aghassi
Arshakian stated that the concept note is an attempt to settle the
concerns of the population regarding three main issues connected with
dual citizenship.

“These issues are military service, taxes and the rights to vote and
be elected. All of them are addressed in the concept note, in some
cases addressed adequately, in others not so well. When the draft
law is elaborated it will be possible to settle any disagreements
through discussions,” Arshakian said.

Secretary of Ardarutyun (Justice) Bloc’s faction Victor Dallakian
said he has important things to do and has no time to read the
concept note. He further stated that he is very skeptical of dual
citizenship. We have no reasons to disagree with Dallakian.

There are of course more important things to deal with. Parliamentary
elections are approaching and it is necessary to ensure that his
party gets some seats in the new parliament.

Member of Orinats Yerkir’s faction Mher Shahgeldian said he has read
the concept note but his position will be further clarified after
the note is discussed by his faction.