Problem Of Non-Citizens In Baltics Among Key Issues On OSCE Agenda - High Commissioner
Rukhshan Mir (@rukhshanmir) Published November 02, 2018 | 01:09 PM
The problem of stateless citizens living in the Baltic region has been one of the key issues on the agenda of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), but statistics show that the problem has already become less acute in recent years, OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Lamberto Zannier told Sputnik.
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 02nd November, 2018) The problem of stateless citizens living in the Baltic region has been one of the key issues on the agenda of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), but statistics show that the problem has already become less acute in recent years, OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Lamberto Zannier told Sputnik.
A large number of people residing in such Baltic countries as Estonia and Latvia who are former Soviet citizens and are usually Russian-speaking were not granted citizenship after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. As a rule of thumb, stateless people are required to pass a state language exam in order to be granted citizenship.
"This is an issue that is on the agenda of the OSCE and on my personal agenda. Actually I'm going back to Vienna, there will be an event on statelessness in the OSCE, that we organizing together with UNHCR [the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees], where also [the] Russian Federation will be participating, number of other OSCE countries. I've been discussing this issue and working on it with the countries of the region," Zannier said.
The high commissioner also noted that the issue had become less concerning, especially in Estonia, where more than 30 percent of people were stateless just 25 years ago, while now the figure might be as low as 6 percent.
"So there has been a reduction. There is a citizenship law, which, I think, is a good one, where a newborn is given automatically the citizenship, unless their parents object. It's a good system, that ensures that there is good inclusion," the high commissioner said, adding that the problem involved mostly elderly people.
Zannier noted that the situation was different in Latvia, where citizenship is not given to people at birth, adding that he was planning to hold discussions with the Latvian government on the issue.
"In Latvia there is still a requirement also for the newborns to apply for citizenship, which will be granted. In my view it would be good if also Latvia align itself from the legislative point of view with what Estonia does and maybe make it even easier for the newborn to acquire the citizenship. That would bring down the numbers more," Zannier added.
The commissioner also does not believe that the problem of non-citizens is a political one, saying that it likely resulted from the transition period after the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the fact that non-citizenship has its own benefits.
"I'm not sure whether this is political at all. It's a result of a phase of the transition. The result was also this so called grey passport, which apparently some like, because it gives free travel into the EU and free travel to Russia without visa. It is, especially for older people, a practical way of moving around," the high commissioner said.
Zannier noted, however, that living without citizenship naturally had its disadvantages, as stateless people cannot fully enjoy the rights that citizens have, including voting rights. According to the high commissioner, governments should be encouraged to improve their policies in order to solve the problem of stateless people.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 26 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 26 April 2024
ICC Womens T20 World Cup Qualifier, Match 2: Ireland Women open with Comfortable ..
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
Shahzeb Chachar to hold khuli kachehri on April 26
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
Court adjourns Judicial Complex attack case till May 17
Nasreen Noori’s book ‘Popatan Jahra Khwab’ launched
Wafaqi Mohtasib inspection team visits Excise and taxation office
AJLAC announces 5th Conference titled ‘People’s Mandate: Safeguarding Civil ..
Pak-US officials engage to enhance trade, investment ties
More Stories From World
-
Microsoft, Google earnings shine as AI drives revenue
14 minutes ago -
Man City crush Brighton to close gap on Arsenal in title race
15 minutes ago -
Atletico face Bilbao challenge in Champions League race
25 minutes ago -
Man City in title groove as Arsenal face Spurs test
25 minutes ago -
Japan anime studio draws on talent of autistic artists
45 minutes ago -
Pakistan needs strong defence in view of its location in 'rough' neighbourhood: Masood Khan
45 minutes ago
-
Bangladesh children sweat at home as heatwave shuts schools
55 minutes ago -
Iconic shared Olympic gold moment will not be repeated, says Barshim
55 minutes ago -
Bangladesh children sweat at home as heatwave shuts schools
1 hour ago -
Pakistani 'Blue Helmets' serving UN Peacekeeping Mission in DR Congo set to leave after 20 years of ..
2 hours ago -
Golf: PGA Zurich Classic of New Orleans scores
2 hours ago -
Slot 'confident' of Liverpool job as 'negotiations' take place
8 hours ago