ARMENIANS DEBATE DUAL CITIZENSHIP CONCEPT

Armenpress

YEREVAN, JUNE 23, ARMENPRESS: The main idea of hearings on dual
citizenship convened today by an Armenian parliament committee
on foreign affairs was that it would help Armenians worldwide to
rally around their homeland and use to the full their potentials
and resources.

The clause in 1995 Constitution banning dual citizenship was removed
last November, when Armenians approved a set of constitutional
amendments in a nation-wide referendum. But possible repercussions
of introduction of dual citizenship still remain unclear.

Critics say the introduction of dual citizenship could lead to a
radical change in the relationship between the Armenian state and
millions of Armenians who live outside it. According to different
estimates, the official population of Armenia is no more than three
million, while between seven and ten million Armenians live elsewhere
in the world.

Supporters of dual citizenship argue that its introduction would enable
the Armenian Diaspora to render assistance more effectively, increase
foreign investment into the country and bring expatriate Armenians
psychologically closer to their historical motherland. Opponents
of the idea say that it is fraught with unforeseen consequences and
could surrender sovereignty to people in other states. They say dual
citizenship is only possible where a bilateral agreement could be
struck with another country. But this can be problematic for Armenia.

Dual citizenship is being vigorously advocated by the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation (ARF) which has developed a draft concept
on how to grant Armenian citizenship to Diaspora fellows. ARF member
Armen Rustamian, head of a special commission to tackle the issue, said
today they expect the hearings to clarify answers to many questions,
to help specify the circle of working international norms and standards
which could be used while drafting the Armenian law.

Science and education minister Levon Mkrtchian, also from the ARF,
spoke extensively about the international regulation of the dual
citizenship.

Constitutional Court chairman Gagik Harutunian reminded that only 54 of
191 member states of the United Nations recognize the dual citizenship.

Harutunian said it is critical to adopt such a law that would dismiss
all related concerns.