As demanded by the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA), some political parties have included the issue of dual citizenship in their election manifestos.

For the House of Representatives election on March 5, the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) has released its manifesto, which addresses the use of skills and capital of Nepalis living abroad.

“RPP is committed to the belief that the skills and capital of Nepalis abroad are a significant strength for Nepal,” the party’s manifesto states. “Special programs will be implemented to transform the skills and capital acquired by youth engaged in foreign and other employment into entrepreneurship and industry.”

It is in this context that RPP has included the issue of dual citizenship. The manifesto says, “To utilise the skills and capital earned by the Non-Resident Nepali community for national development, the continuity of citizenship for their descendants will be ensured, guaranteeing the principle of ‘once a Nepali, always a Nepali.’”

Leaders explain that dual citizenship has been accepted with the aim of using the skills, knowledge, and experience of Nepalis abroad as a form of “brain gain” to contribute to national progress.

“We have accepted dual citizenship,” RPP spokesperson Mohan Shrestha says to Onlinekhabar. “We are trying to include Nepalis living abroad. They have long demanded that their Nepalese citizenship be maintained, and we have addressed that.”

The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has also addressed this issue. RSP has released a citizen charter that includes the demand for continuity of citizenship for descendants.

The charter mentions online voting rights for Nepalis abroad, continuity of descendants’ citizenship, implementation of a sovereign diaspora fund, secure investment and dignified return to the country, and regulated foreign employment.

However, RSP leaders have not provided detailed explanations on the matter. They plan to discuss how far the dual citizenship issue can go in terms of rights.

The Ujyaalo Nepal Party (UNP) has committed to drafting and amending laws to provide citizenship to Nepalis living abroad and their children based on descent.

UNP’s manifesto states, “Continuity of citizenship for non-resident Nepali descendants will be ensured, embracing the concept of ‘once a Nepali, always a Nepali. Necessary laws will be drafted and amended to provide citizenship to Nepalis living abroad and their children based on descent.”

What is being sought?

Kedar Khadka, coordinator of UNP’s manifesto drafting committee, says that they have not introduced a new concept.

He says, “Other countries have already practised this. We are not introducing something new. In the case of Nepali citizens, if dual citizenship is to be accepted, we have written it in the manifesto accordingly.”

He explains that the reason for including this issue in the manifesto is to ensure the continuity of Nepal’s language, culture, and civilisation.

“People have an inherent desire to seek their roots. No matter where they are in the world, the continuity of Nepali citizenship is connected to language, civilisation, culture, and development. Therefore, the state’s policy should be supportive of them,” he says.

Khadka, who is also the co-coordinator of UNP’s election management committee, adds that more detailed discussions will take place when drafting the law on this issue.

“Today, children are born abroad because their parents are abroad. What relevance does the place of birth have in determining one’s citizenship? Therefore, if they wish to return and live in Nepal, continuity of descendants’ citizenship must be ensured.”

“When parents have already acquired foreign citizenship, more discussion will be needed when drafting the law. At that time, the discussions will go deeper,” Khadka says. “Currently, if children of parents abroad come to live in Nepal, the state should not create obstacles in granting citizenship based on their place of birth.”

UNP believes that such a policy will make a significant contribution to the continuity and influence of language, culture, and civilisation.

Khadka adds, “Globally, the focus is on increasing population rather than decreasing it. We have taken this into account as well.”

The post Political parties include dual citizenship in election manifestos to engage Nepalis abroad appeared first on OnlineKhabar English News.