Draft Bill on Dual Citizenship Introduced in RA Parliament

PanARMENIAN.Net - Levon Mkrtchian, National Assembly's Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) faction leader and Armen Rustamian introduced on Wednesday the concept of a draft law, which would grant a dual citizenship right to foreign Armenians.



"During the Constitutional referendum, the ARF presented its view on this issue and our support of the constitutional amendments stemmed from this stance," Armen Rustamian said. "The ARF has prepared a concept that could become the base for further discussions." He said three key issues would be resolved: organizing of worldwide Armenians to contribute in national goals; new possibilities for Armenia's strengthening; and protection of rights of Armenians around the world.



He noted that while working on the concept the international practices were studied to make the law compliant with international laws also put in balance the rights and obligations. Levon Mkrtchian, in turn, said a group of professionals, including Constitutional Court Chairman Gagik Harutyunian, worked at the draft law. The concept consists of 15 sections each of which is to become a chapter in the future law. "The dual citizenship for Armenians stems from the unique situation the Armenians have found themselves after the Genocide," Mkrtchian said.



Rustamian and Mkrtchian spoke of the necessity to clearly define the rights and obligations, including the right to elect and be elected. The concept will be submitted to the National Assembly as a draft law in the fall, reported Yerkir Online.