Nauru constitutional amendment protects Nauruan culture for the future (1)
In a show of bipartisan support,
Nauru's parliament has unanimously voted for the first amendment to
the country's constitution since the document was created in
1968.
The amendment now means that a person born on Nauru without the
nationality of any country can make an application to Cabinet for
citizenship, and "It shall be the prerogative of Cabinet as to
whether citizenship is granted or not".
President Baron Waqa explained that the cabinet of Nauru has
always been the guardian of Nauruan citizenship applications,
however pointed out that the change does not exclude citizenship
for anyone.
"It now means there is a process to follow, just like any other
application for citizenship."
Mr Waqa said all Nauruans wanted future generations to be strong
and he was "proud that the parliament spoke as one voice to guard
future custom and culture".
Constitution of Nauru (Citizenship) (Amendment) Bill 2014
Previous:
Persons born in Nauru on or after 31 January 1968 73. A person
born in Nauru on or after the thirty-first day of January One
thousand nine hundred and sixty-eight is a Nauruan citizen if, at
the date of his birth he would not, but for the provisions of this
Article, have the nationality of any country.
Amendment:
Persons born in Nauru on or after 31 January 1968 73. A person
born in Nauru on or after the thirty-first day of January One
thousand nine hundred and sixty-eight, if at the date of his birth
he would not have the nationality of any country, an application
may be made to Cabinet for citizenship. It shall be the prerogative
of Cabinet as to whether citizenship is granted or not.