President Zelensky proposes constitutional amendment to introduce dual citizenship – JURIST

2024/01/25 Leave a comment

Of note, partially driven by the need for more soldiers:

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, in a video posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, extended thanks to Ukrainians abroad for their support during Russia’s invasion and proposed constitutional amendments to allow dual citizenship.

The video was shared in commemoration of Ukraine’s Unity Day, observed annually on January 22. This day signifies the merging of the Ukrainian People’s Republic and the West Ukrainian People’s Republic into a single, independent nation in 1919. The Unification Act of the Ukrainian People’s Republic (UNR) was signed to mark the beginning of the nation.

The president expressed gratitude to Ukrainians living abroad for their efforts in “collecting and delivering” essential aid to the country during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Zelenskiy announced his intention to introduce a draft law encompassing extensive legislative changes, including provisions for multiple citizenship in Verkhovna Rada, the parliament of Ukraine. The proposed law aims to grant citizenship to ethnic Ukrainians and their descendants globally, with the exception of individuals from hostile nations. Zelenskiy emphasized that many citizens had been compelled to leave their homeland amid emigration waves, and the proposed amendments would provide them the opportunity to become Ukrainian citizens, fostering a sense of attachment to the country.

Dual citizenship is the status whereby an individual is acknowledged as a citizen of two or more countries in accordance with the respective laws of those nations. However, the Constitution of Ukraine, specified in Article 4, currently permits only a single national citizenship. The proposal for allowing multiple citizenship was also suggested by Ukraine’s foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, during his address to the World Congress of Ukraine. In his speech, he highlighted the importance of introducing multiple citizenship as a means to forward the development of a global community.

Source: President Zelensky proposes constitutional amendment to introduce dual citizenship – JURIST

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About Andrew
Andrew blogs and tweets public policy issues, particularly the relationship between the political and bureaucratic levels, citizenship and multiculturalism. His latest book, Policy Arrogance or Innocent Bias, recounts his experience as a senior public servant in this area.

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