Deprivation of citizenship to be discussed at JSC considering constitutional reform

By Halshane Burke    

 

Representatives of the Ministry of National Security are to appear before the Joint Select Committee (JSC) of Parliament considering the Constitution Amendment Republic Act, 2024 on the matter of citizenship.

 

The Committee is considering the factors to determine the process for the deprivation of citizenship of an individual.

 

Committee chair and Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs Marlene Malahoo Forte outlined that the document reveals that citizenship is acquired through birth, marriage and descent.

 

At present there is no clear guideline in the Constitution outlining the process of deprivation of citizenship.

 

Mrs. Malahoo Forte said it is important that a proactive approach is taken to address matters before they arise. 

 

"So the question is, should the state be empowered to deprive citizenship acquired by either birth, descent, or marriage? It is always better to reserve power to address matters that may not arise immediately, but could arise. So I don't know if we want to just say, once you acquire it, that's it. Because anything else, in order to make a change, would have to require a change in the Constitution itself. We know that all of the legislation relating to nationality, citizenship, immigration are now under review," she pointed out.