Claiming Equal Citizenship

By
Suad Hamada
Bahrain Tribune Newspaper

August 24, 2006

A nation-wide campaign has been launched to press for citizenship for children of Bahraini women married to foreigners.

Amira Isa, a member of the campaign team, told the Tribune yesterday that many Bahraini women married to foreigners have been deprived of their constitutional right to obtain citizenship for their children.

They have also been struggling to ensure residence permits as well as health, education and housing services for their children, Amira said.

She said more than 100 mothers had joined the campaign and the number would increase. The campaign, under the theme ‘Citizenship for Me and My Children’ calls for partnership between all members of society as well as support of the legislative and executive authorities to ensure justice for all citizens.

The Supreme Council for Women has started offering temporary solutions. It approaches the General Directorate for Nationality, Passports and Residence for visas for children on arrival and permits for their extended stay in the Kingdom.

As part of the campaign, a series of workshops and awareness activities have been lined up to protect women’s interests and provide them with their rights to enhance their productivity as well as social and family stability, she said. “The campaigners are in touch with the legislative authority and the directorate and pushing for amendments to the naturalisation law,” Amira said.

The new naturalisation bill pending in the parliament has put more restrictions on citizenship for children of Bahraini women married to foreigners, Amira said. “The children of Bahraini mothers or fathers should have the right to Bahraini citizenship. It would be a violation of the Constitution if they are denied citizenship and Bahraini passports,” Amira said.

Article from Bahrain Tribune Newspaper: www.BahrainTribune.com August 24, 2006
Copyright (c) 2006 Bahrain Tribune Newspaper

Entry Filed under: Countries, Bahrain, Activities, In the News