MOSTAR, Dec 30 (Hina) - The international community's High Representative in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Paddy Ashdown, on Monday imposed the Citizenship Law which extends the transition period to decide on the signing of bilateral agreements
on dual citizenship for ten years.
MOSTAR, Dec 30 (Hina) - The international community's High
Representative in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Paddy Ashdown, on Monday
imposed the Citizenship Law which extends the transition period to
decide on the signing of bilateral agreements on dual citizenship
for ten years. #L#
The House of Representatives of the Bosnian parliament adopted the
Law and asked Ashdown to impose it because the State House of
Nations has not been established yet and as such could not ratify
it.
The Law is especially significant for Bosnian Croats making use of
the additional privilege of also having Croatian citizenship, as
well as for many displaced persons currently living in Western
European countries.
Addressing a press conference in Sarajevo where he announced that
he had imposed the Citizenship Law, Ashdown said it would have been
irresponsible if he had not taken some action as great harm would
have been caused to Bosnia's citizens.
Explaining his reason for imposing the Law, Ashdown said that had he
not done so, more than 100,000 people, starting with January 1,
would have been forced to choose which citizenship they would
renounce.
At the same time Ashdown called on Bosnia's authorities to
liberalise the Citizenship Law as much as possible because it only
allowed dual citizenship with countries that bilateral agreements
have been signed with.
The more usual European and international practice is not to make
such restrictions but to allow each citizen to enjoy dual
citizenship if they fulfil certain conditions, Ashdown said.
According to the British diplomat, the Bosnian government should
adopt such amendments to the Law within six months, which would
entail minor changes to the Constitution.
(hina) sp/ha sb