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Govt Draws
Line On Dual Citizenship Act Courtesy: Public Agenda 03 September, 2010  Another
controversial issue has emerged again in Liberia since dust has settled
over the threshold bill. Now a bill seeking to amend the Nationality Law
of Liberia in order to allow dual citizenship in the country has been
introduced before the Senate Committee on Judiciary. The bill is
currently being debated at the National Legislature with divided views,
with some citing poor security, economic concerns and the issue of
loyalty or allegiance in terms of crisis and extradition treaties. The bill which is being reportedly sponsored by Grand Kru County Senior Senator Cletus Wotorson, now President Pro-Temp of the Liberia Senate, has been greeted with sharp reactions by some amongst ordinary Liberians who argue that the bill is not in their interest for several reasons, citing poverty that has overwhelmed most of the citizens. While deliberations over the controversial act are ongoing, the Liberian Government has reportedly declared its position in support of the bill; something critics believe will undermine the views of ordinary people, since most of the officials of the current regime are reportedly viewed to be citizens of other countries, including the United States of America and are presiding over state resources. Addressing journalists over the weekend, the Commissioner of the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization (BIN), Col. Christopher Massaquio, quoting the sponsor of the bill said the “Act, if passed into law, will protect and ensure that no natural born Liberian loses his or her citizenship ever, no matter the circumstances other than those prescribed by the constitution of Liberia.” According to him, the proposed amendment covers only natural born Liberian citizens and is pregnant with what he referred to as the spirit of patriotism and is “strongly nationalistic since in fact the circumstances that influenced the original framers of the existing nationality law no longer exist.” The BIN boss believes that all patriotic Liberians should be supportive of the proposed amendment since it targets only natural born Liberians and not all Liberian citizens; something he noted is not discriminatory because those who are naturalized in Liberia are already citizens of other countries that have dual citizenship law which made them citizens of two countries. Commissioner Massaquoi, even though agreed with those who raised concerns on issues of loyalty, jurisdiction, as well as economic, adding that “these are understandably legitimate concerns,” but noted that considering the intent of the act, which observers also contend is not available in the public domain, especially amongst ordinary people, there should be no need for fear since the target groups are all Liberians who, for other extreme necessity, took up citizenship in other countries. The Deputy Attorney General of Liberia who declared the government’s position on the proposed act said they have no reservation in “wholeheartedly” giving their support to the proposed amendment. The BIN boss has, therefore, reiterated calls for all patriotic and nationalistic Liberians to give their fullest backing for the quick approbation of the proposed amendment, something he said he believes will give relief to many Liberians who have taken up citizenship in foreign lands but remain deeply loyal and patriotic to their motherland, Liberia and wish to see the country prosper. The proposed Act, if passed into law will also allow Liberians who are out of the country to take part in the ensuring 2011 elections and subsequent elections, something others think has political undertone more than the issue of development, which the supporters of the Act are accentuating. Meanwhile, Col. Massaquoi has emphasized that the Liberian Government was not divided over the issue and that anyone harboring a contrary view was regrettably mistaken. |
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