Non-Muslims to be denied Maldivian citizenship under new Constitution
| DATE: 2007-11-20 | PRINT | Share
The lawyers predicted that the new clause would deprive current citizens of Maldivian citizenship, leaving some Maldivians stateless in their country of origin.
“Under the existing constitution, every child born to a Maldivian mother or father will be a Maldivian citizen. But we know there are non-Muslims among them. There are such children are living in Australia and Europe. They have Maldivian passports. Under the existing constitution, it is possible for a foreigner of another faith to become a Maldivian citizen. Therefore, with the passage of this clause, a lot of Maldivians will be stripped of citizens the day the new Constitution comes into effect,” Seenu atoll MP Husnu Suood, who abstained during the vote, said.
78 MPs voted in favor to approve the clause that requires all Maldivian citizens to be Muslims. While no MPs voted against the motion, two MPs abstained from the vote. The two MPs who did not vote either way were Haa Alif atoll member Ahmed Muizz and Male member Ahmed Athif. Seenu atoll member Husnu Suood, who was in the hall at the time, did not participate in voting.
| DATE: 2007-11-20 | PRINT | Share
Prominent lawyers have expressed concern following the passage of a clause in the new Constitution that would deny Maldivian citizenship to non-Muslims. The lawyers fear that the prerequisite for citizenship would create complications.
The lawyers predicted that the new clause would deprive current citizens of Maldivian citizenship, leaving some Maldivians stateless in their country of origin.
“Under the existing constitution, every child born to a Maldivian mother or father will be a Maldivian citizen. But we know there are non-Muslims among them. There are such children are living in Australia and Europe. They have Maldivian passports. Under the existing constitution, it is possible for a foreigner of another faith to become a Maldivian citizen. Therefore, with the passage of this clause, a lot of Maldivians will be stripped of citizens the day the new Constitution comes into effect,” Seenu atoll MP Husnu Suood, who abstained during the vote, said.
78 MPs voted in favor to approve the clause that requires all Maldivian citizens to be Muslims. While no MPs voted against the motion, two MPs abstained from the vote. The two MPs who did not vote either way were Haa Alif atoll member Ahmed Muizz and Male member Ahmed Athif. Seenu atoll member Husnu Suood, who was in the hall at the time, did not participate in voting.
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