Tuesday, December 17, 2024

NRNA seeks implementation NRN citizenship

Kathmandu, Dec. 13

The Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA), has drawn the government’s attention to the implementation of non-resident Nepali (NRN) citizenship.

The association's President, Dr. Badri KC, submitted a letter of memorandum to Acting Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai, highlighting delays in enforcing the provision of NRN citizenship. While the citizenship is issued, there have been denials for constitutional economic, social, and cultural rights to eligible individuals, he said.

"Although NRN citizenship has been issued, its practical use faces legal challenges. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) should facilitate the formulation of necessary laws to address this issue," Dr. KC said to Acting Foreign Secretary, Rai.

In response, Rai acknowledged that the lack of legislation before issuing NRN citizenship has caused complications. "The constitution grants economic, social, and cultural rights, but citizenship was issued without the supporting laws in place. This was indeed a shortcoming. A draft NRN Act is now ready, and further clarity will emerge once it becomes law," he said.

Dr. KC also urged the ministry to address the concerns of People of Nepali Origin (PNO) and review the ban on working in Iraq. According to a statement issued by the NRNA, he pointed out that many Nepalis are employed in Kurdistan, Iraq, but face challenges renewing their passports and accessing consular services because of travel restrictions between Kuwait and Kurdistan.

He suggested allowing them to access services from Nepali embassies in Qatar or the United Arab Emirates (UAE) instead. Acting Secretary Rai assured him that the matter would be reviewed and resolved at the ministerial level.

Likewise, Dr. KC urged for simplifying processes for Nepalis employed, studying, or doing business in Russia by resuming labour approval and renewal services, facilitating the renewal of labour approvals, which were halted post-COVID-19, and amending laws to simplify the issuance of NRN identification cards to long-residing Nepalis in Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia, Fiji and other countries.

The NRNA has called for revisions in the provisions of NRN Act to identify Nepalis living abroad for more than 183 days, excluding SAARC countries as the NRNs and including students also within this definition.

Dr. KC also requested to establish Nepali embassies in countries with a high concentration of Nepalis. In the countries without embassies, he proposed appointing honourary consuls based on NRNA recommendations. He called for an inter-ministerial workshop to address NRN issues systematically.

The NRNA President said that NRNs with Nepali identity cards faced discriminatory treatment, such as being charged as foreign nationals for domestic air travel. He urged the government to ensure they were treated as Nepali citizens in such cases.

In response, Acting Secretary Rai assured that efforts would be made to address these concerns gradually, in coordination with the relevant ministries.

 Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 14 December 2024.  

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