Recognition of Nepali Identity & Origin: Foundation for unifying Nepalis

1. Recognition of Nepali Identity & Origin: Foundation for unifying Nepalis Presented by Captain Hitman Gurung MBE,NRNA VP & Task Force Co- Chair on Continuation of Nepalese citizenship (TFCNC) & Members 18th May 2013

2. Identity • Natural: Origin & Hereditary identity • legal identity: by Nepal government

3. Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) Continuation of Nepalese Citizenship(CNC) for NRNs: NRNA’s Recommendation (Based on NRNA’s Position Paper)

4. Continuation of Nepalese Citizenship for NRNs: A principal goal of NRNA One of the principal goals of NRN movement and NRNA is to secure Continuation of Nepalese Citizenship (CNC) for NRNs. So NRNA has been vigorously campaigning for it. Hence the formation of the high-level Task Force on CNC.

5. Continuation of Nepalese Citizenship for NRNs: NRNA’s recommendation NRNA urges the Constituent Assembly, the Legislature-Parliament & the Government of Nepal to quickly and seriously consider the following 3-point recommendation as offered in the NRNA Position Paper on the subject:

6. NRNA’s Recommendation… I • Amend current Nepal Citizenship Act 2063 [2006 CE] to • remove provision that requires NRNs to automatically lose or involuntarily renounce Nepali citizenship upon voluntarily receiving any foreign citizenship;

7. NRNA’s Recommendation… I (Cont’d) • allow NRNs with citizenship under current Citizenship Act of Nepal 2063 [2006 CE] or Citizenship Act of 2019 [1962 CE] or any other Nepali citizenship law Nepal to keep their Nepali citizenship or re-acquire it in the prescribed manner; • end, retroactively, gender-based discrimination against children of Nepali female citizens married to foreign citizens in granting citizenship by descent;

8. NRNA’s Recommendation… I (Cont’d) • end, retroactively, discrimination against foreign nationals married to Nepali female citizens and seeking Nepali citizenship by naturalization; and • allow NRNs, their spouse, their mother or father, grandmother or grandfather, their children, grandchildren or great grand-children to keep their Nepali citizenship, acquired under Citizenship Act of 2008 [1952 CE] or any other law, or acquire it by descent or naturalization as appropriate.

9. NRNA’s Recommendation… II • The new constitution should include clear provision for DC for NRNs, who or whose spouse, parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren or great grandchildren, held Nepali citizenship under Nepali citizenship law of 2008 [1952 CE] or any subsequent laws.

10. NRNA’s Recommendation… II(Cont’d) If express provision for Continuation of Nepalese Citizenship in new constitution is not practical or possible at all at this time, then include at least the following two provisions in it: (a) Grant, acquisition, loss or termination of citizenship and other arrangements shall be as per prevalent Nepali laws (same provision as Part 2, Article 10, of the current Interim Constitution).

11. NRNA’s Recommendation… II(Cont’d) (b) Regardless of any other legal or constitutional provision, no Nepali shll be required to automatically lose or renounce his or her Nepali citizenship, whether acquired under Citizenship Act of 2008 [1952 CE] or any newer laws, just because he or she voluntarily acquired foreign citizenship for whatever reason.

12. NRNA’s Recommendation… III • Review the entire NRN ID Card provision and associated rules and procedures and make it more useful, meaningful and accessible to majority of NRNs; thus make the ID Card’s terms, fee structure, process and procedures more smooth, efficient, reasonable and client-friendly.

13. Continuation of Nepalese Citizenship for NRNs: A win-win proposition for Nepal, Nepalese & NRNs • CNC will encourage NRNs to become active partners, and will facilitate their engagement, in Nepal’s development • Nepal needs global NRN community’s resources (financial, educational, professional skills/ expertise, enterprise,socio-political network etc), which are growing by the day • CNC can reduce current capital outflow from Nepal and help reverse brain-drain from Nepal • We must build on what has been achieved so far and move forward

14. Finally We in NRNA believe the 3-point recommendation outlined will produce a certain win-win outcome for Nepal, Nepalis and NRNs. As always, NRNA, on behalf of NRNs everywhere in the world, stands ready to cooperate and collaborate in the process of implementing the recommendation. ***** Let us have a successful meeting and some fun!!!