Dual Citizenship
#21 Guest__*
Posted 25 October 2000 - 06:23 AM
Jul 21, 2000
Yerevan, 20th July: A meeting has been held between the Armenia-Diaspora coordination committee and the Armenian intelligentsia at the Academy of Sciences. The committee presented its programme of national unification, which envisages setting up an Armenian-wide organizational structure, the national parliament of Armenia-Diaspora.
The presidents of Armenia and the Nagornyy Artsax Republic, Catholicos of all Armenians and the Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, MPs of the national assemblies and members of the Armenian and NKR governments, representatives of committees of Armenia-Diaspora, representatives of all Church eparchies and representatives of political parties will be deputies of this parliament, which will be a supreme body coordinating Armenia-Diaspora relations.
#22
Posted 04 November 2005 - 11:42 AM
YEREVAN (Armenpress)--Armenian president Robert Kocharian said that this year alone, 470 former residents of Armenia lost their Armenian citizenship after becoming citizens of other countries. "The strength of the country is not only measured by the number of its permanent residents but also by the number of its citizens," he told Yerevan State University students and professors.
He argued in favor of lifting the constitutional ban on dual citizenship enacted in 1995, saying 70 percent of those leaving the country would likely retain their Armenian citizenship. "We are losing our citizens," he said.
But he also stressed that the government must first concentrate on what needs to be done to stop emigration, then think of bringing Armenians back to their homeland.
"A nation with such an extensive diaspora has no right to apply a ban on dual citizenship. We can regulate all questionable issues by laws to eradicate all concerns, such as the right of diaspora Armenians to vote and get elected to a public office in Armenia," Kocharian said. "I feel pain every time I have to sign documents revoking people's Armenian citizenship."
A package of constitutional amendments that will be put to the national referendum on November 27 lifts the ban on dual citizenship.
#23
Posted 09 November 2005 - 12:54 PM
#24
Posted 10 November 2005 - 12:03 AM
“The adoption of dual citizenship for Armenia is like giving away our lands. It almost means to eliminate our statehood”, announced David Shahnazaryan today during the seminar organized by the Political Investigations Center “Agreement”.
Advocate Vardan Haroutyunyan represented the dangers awaiting un in case of eliminating the dual citizenship ban. He noted that it will give the Armenians living abroad the possibility to participate in the governing of our country as there is not citizen without suffrage. And the stipulation of suffrage of dual citizens will give them the possibility to interfere with the internal affairs of our country.
Head of the Political Investigations Center Rouben Mehrabyan noted that by means to dual citizenship Russia will be able to legally interfere with the internal affairs of our country.
Generally, the complaints of the main part of reporters were especially about RF. For example, chief editor of the newspaper “Aravot” Aram Abrahamyan announced that if the dual citizens have the right to be elected, the majority of the RA Parliament will be formed by the RF citizens who can made a decision to build a cosmodrome in Moscow at the expense of Armenian tax-payers.
Aram Abrahamyan announced that the dual citizenship clause stretches a hand to the Armenians of the Diaspora, and he is against doing this at the expense of the citizens of Armenia. Besides, he announced that those people who left Armenia in different times, must not have the same rights as the citizens of Armenia.
And advocate Vardan Haroutyunyan noted that the expression “Armenia is the homeland of Armenians” is one of purest nationalism.
And ex-mayor of Yerevan Vahagn Khachatryan noted that dual citizenship is not a good thing, and as soon as the Armenians from the Diaspora learn that their sons must serve in the RA army and they must pay taxes, they do not “dream” of becoming a citizen of Armenia. “The RA passport is not a toy they want to play with. If they are citizens of Armenia, they must renounce other citizenships and come to Armenia”, Aram Abrahamyan said.
Politician Stepan Safaryan mentioned that he sees the danger of Armenians leaving their homeland with the adoption of dual citizenship.
#25
Posted 10 November 2005 - 12:05 AM
According to economist Tatoul Manaseryan the adoption of Constitutional amendments in present conditions in unacceptable. As for the dual citizenship institute, the economist claims that it will not affect the development of the economy of the country.
«Dual citizenship will not contribute to the growth of investments and tax payments unless the field is healthy. The Armenians from the Diaspora who realize economic activity in Armenia do not care about the adoption of dual citizenship. Only the formation of an atmosphere of mutual trust and the guarantees for equal competition conditions for everyone can contribute to the development of economy».
According to Tatoul Manaseryan dual citizenship is necessary for those Armenians who left their country but still want to have connections with it. In any case the economist finds the adoption of the law dangerous as, «Not everyone wishing to get dual citizenship will be kind and sincere in their aims».
#26
Posted 10 November 2005 - 12:14 AM
Member of the Republican Party Galoust Sahakyan thinks dual citizenship has a symbolic meaning. “The introduction of dual citizenship into the draft was a result of political concession. After long discussions the coalition accepter the offer of ARF. Even if the right of the dual citizens to elect or to be elected is stipulated by the law, it will not work. Dual citizenship is mainly connected with our national problems and not legislative norms. If a US citizen has dual citizenship, USA will not allow him to participate in RA elections or serve in the RA army”.
According to Mr. Sahakyan, the world experience has shown that dual citizenship is not justified. He does not share the opinion that the right of dual citizens to vote will give other counties the possibility to affect the Presidential elections in Armenia. “It is an illiterate political formula, and more like a case of tautology. Does it mean that Bush can come to Armenia and be elected President? If we forget about our national values, everything will happen”.
#27
Posted 10 November 2005 - 12:17 AM
Oh yeah, sorry! It is absolutely my fault if my great grand parents were slaughtered by turks and had to flee in a foreign country! Damn, now I must not consider myself as an armenian.
This is all BS.. Denying dual citizenship will not help the Diasporan armenians to return back. My french passport is more beneficient for now than an armenian one. I might change the day Armenia enters in the EU.
As if they were not already leaving the country.. Closing doors to armenians outside will not help the country developp..
«Not everyone wishing to get dual citizenship will be evil in their aims»
#28
Posted 10 November 2005 - 12:26 AM
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 9. ARMINFO. "Adopting dual citizenship Armenia will have to strive for independence again," declared the participants of a seminar dedicated to the Constitutional amendments at the "Congress" hotel. The seminar was organized by the "Armenian National Movement" party and the "Concordance" social studies center.
Vardan Harutiunian, a lawyer, noted that the Constitutional reforms must contribute the development of the country. He said that the most important point of the new Constitution is the question of dual citizenship. He denoted the question of the military service and taxation of people with dual citizenship. Mr. Harutiunian warned that Russia can use dual citizens for influencing the policy of Armenia.
The editor-in-chief of the "Aravot" newspaper, Aram Abrahamian, said that the only defect of the new Constitution is the article on dual citizenship. He noted the importance of dual citizenship for the representatives of the Armenian diaspora, but also warned that Armenian Parliament deputies, being admitted the citizenship, of other countries can betray the interests of Armenia.
The head of the "Concordance" social studies center, David Shahnazarian, agreed with the position of Mr. Aram Abrahamian and said that the idea of adoption of dual citizenship is mainly supported by foreign citizens.
arminfo
#29
Posted 10 November 2005 - 01:04 PM
Such desision should not be something that Republic of Armenia would agree to grant, but rather a political understanding reflecting the curent and future development of Armenia.
#30
Posted 10 November 2005 - 05:06 PM
#31
Posted 10 November 2005 - 09:43 PM
it's relatively easy, unless you're Raffi Hovhanissian and want to run for the presidency...
#32
Posted 10 November 2005 - 10:40 PM
kavat me churi mech kheghtvetsank?
In short, with the amended constitution and proper laws, the deal should be something like:
You were born and raised outside Armenia? you can become a citizen if you come here and serve in the army, for a certain period and if you are under 27-30. If you are over 30, no need to serve but you'll have to pay taxes. In all cases you'll get citizenship only if you live here for a given period of time, meaning to be a pemanent resident and paying taxes (just like in any other country, ex: 1 or 2 years, including military service), you'll get the right to vote if you stay even longer (ex. 5 years or more). You get the right to be elected after an even longer period (ex. 10 years).
You're an armenian that left Armenia in the last 15 years? You can have citizenship but voting rights only if you have been a permanent resident (lived in Armenia and have payed taxes) for 5 years (or longer). If you are under 30 (or 27), you still have to serve in the Army.
This way, those who really want to become citizens while keeping their other citizenship, can do it and participate in Armenia's life.
That's it! No need to make a drama out of it!
This was my personal view and details will be decided when voting the laws in parliament of course!
A.
Edited by Aaron, 10 November 2005 - 10:43 PM.
#33
Posted 10 November 2005 - 10:54 PM
i'm an armenian citizen under 27, but i still don't have to serve in the army... i've legally left the country for a permanent residancy in usa... therefore i'm not required to serve...
so... does someone under 27, who wishes to become armenian citizen, but still be a permanent resident of a foreign country have to serve in the army?
#34
Posted 10 November 2005 - 10:58 PM
#35
Posted 11 November 2005 - 01:12 AM
so... does someone under 27, who wishes to become armenian citizen, but still be a permanent resident of a foreign country have to serve in the army?
aper indz yve qez banak chen tani aper - hech chmtatses
#36
Posted 11 November 2005 - 04:38 PM
For the second part: It's true, the country has a 1001 problems, but amending the constitution will not necessarily mean adoption of dual citizenship. The process of establishing appropriate laws through parliament may take long years and even longer debates within the politicians and the public..... bringing us closer to a solution. When you exchange ideas about something it becomes easier to solve it, no? Constitution amendments only eliminate a ban.... the rest is ours to decide!
Eventually, this issue should be solved so that Armenia does become a homeland of all armenians (someone could have more than 1 homeland, just as someone can have more than one house!). This is my stance.
A.
#37
Posted 12 November 2005 - 04:10 AM
The present change in the constitution that is going to be voted in the referendum along with other changes is not regulating dual citizenship. It is simply removing the paragraph that bans dual citizenship.
The only law that authomatically comes into force for potential dual citizens (the people who hold passports of 2 countries) is the RA Law on Citizenship. According to this law anyone who wants to become a RA citizen will have the same rights and responsibilities as all other RA nationals.
Armenia has to still pass a law on dual citizenship, ammend the current one or sign separate agreements with foreign countries regulating the process. There are many ways to regulate this in a way that will not jeopardize the stability. For example you can give all dual citizens a right to vote only in case they are in Armenia on the day of elections etc. etc.
So you are totaly right, Gams.
#38
Posted 09 December 2005 - 07:35 PM
Same goes for Armenia and Georgia. If these countries just give passports to residents staying in the country they would not need much papers, as there are just a fraction of the residents of 1991.
What we can say now is that any Caucasian country is heading in two directions:
-Becoming more and more mono-ethnic as result of minorities returning to their own countries
-Huge outmigration even by the ethnic majority group to places with more employement
The first development is permanent for sure and will only increase since the rates for minorities are still higher. The second development is resulted for economic reasons and is likely not to be permanent. Many Armenians are working for a few months in Russia and for a few months in Armenia. For the first they should receive solid working permits, for the second an Armenian passport. If the Armenian economy improves people will at first stay longer in Armenia and after a while permanently. Take Baku for example, the Russians, Armenians, Jews, Tatars, etc. came for economic reasons, to make money and now Moscow is the booming town. The Caucasian cities can experience the same again when there is peace and no ethnic tension. This is the main reason why Georgia went from the most affluent to the poorest country of CIS, but still there is enormous potential. And if this potential of Caucasian countries is realised there will be need for returning of its citizens. With the right passports off course.
Edited by M_Karazov, 09 December 2005 - 07:38 PM.
#39
Posted 10 December 2005 - 09:53 AM
if you have enough cash, everything is possible in Armenia
#40
Posted 26 February 2007 - 09:14 AM
National Assembly adopted the amendments to the Law on dual citizenship
at second reading. The United Labor party voted against. The opposition
did not participate in the voting.
Let us remind that this amendment establishes the institute of dual
citizenship in the republic and our compatriots residing in different
sites of the world gain the right to elect and be elected.
Dual citizens cannot run for president and parliament, they will not
be allowed to be members of the Constitutional Court.
According to Justice Minister David Harutyunyan, political
agreement has been reached on the following issue: "Dual citizens
who have no place of registration in Armenia will not participate
in elections. Correspondingly, dual citizens having a place of
registration in Armenia attain franchise. In fact, no additional
precincts will be opened for citizens not registered in Armenia.
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