Dual Citizenship for the Republic of Armenia: Posing Questions of Law and Circumstance

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Dual Citizenship for the Republic of
ArmeniaPosing Questions of Law and Circumstance

• Andrew D. Kzirian, Esq.
• Morgan Lewis Bockius, LLP
• June 17, 2006

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A Dual Citizenship Approach for Armenia

• Proposal for Dual Citizenship
• Phase-In Process
• Based on experiences of other states
• International Law
• Custom tailored for Armenia

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International Domestic Law / Examination of
States

• International Domestic law
• The United States
• Russia
• Ireland
• Estonia
• Mexico
• Israel
• African Union
• India
• South Africa

Each countrys approach to citizenship varies as
a function of its economic condition, political
atmosphere, diaspora size, etc.
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The Armenian Case

• Host of questions
• How unique is Armenia?
• Socially?
• Politically?
• Economically?
• What factors come into fashioning a law?
• Contributions? Would that change?
• Dichotomy potential for increased mainstream
  societal contributions?
  
• Inflow v. Outflow?

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Specific Parameters
Dual Citizenship Law
Complications
Powerful Diaspora
Domestic Society
Integration (Refugees)
Any dual citizenship type arrangement must
acknowledge all factors
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Special Residency Status

• POSITIVES
• 10 year term open to renewal with fee
• Can buy and sell property
• Facilitated entrance / exit

• NEGATIVES
• No voting
• No political organizations
• No running for office

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Prospective Spectrum of Dual Citizenship

• Missing Links in the Chain

No dual citizenship
Special Residency Status
Provisional Citizenship
Progressive Attainment of Dual Citizenship
Full dual citizenship and integration
No Civic Duties / No Participation Full Civic
Duties and Participation No Suffrage Suffrag
e No Right to Hold Office Right to Hold Offic
e
Some overlap in privileges but limited.
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Provisional Citizenship

• Armenian case
• Sociopolitical difficulties of dual citizenship
• Domestic socioeconomic condition
• Diasporas potential
• Extremes
• Lessons
• Balance
• Moderation

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Provisional Citizenship Contd

• Jus Sangiunis v. Jus Soli
• Based on ethnic lineage
• Phase-In concept
• 3 year period
• Fee
• 3 weeks per year
• 100 hours of community service
• Military Service

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Provisional Citizenship Contd

• Buying and selling property
• Temporary disallowances
• No voting No running
• Facilitate integration of
• Diaspora Armenians
• Appreciation for domestic
• society and concerns
• Renewal fee per year
• Military exemption

Phase-In Approach to Dual Citizenship
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Conclusions and Key Issues / Points of Discussion

• Coming full circle
• Fulfillment of requirements
• Eligibility for citizenship
• Integration
• Armenias domestic condition
• Armenias geopolitical situation
• Influential Diaspora
• Experiences of other states
• Balance