May 13, 2016

Push for Citizenship Verification Brings Contentious Law Into Focus

A proposal submitted to the Lower House of Burma’s Parliament late last week by a lawmaker of the Arakan National Party (ANP) urged the government to “resolve citizenship issues” in Burma in accordance with the 1982 Citizenship Law. The proposal suggested that a nationwide citizenship verification drive be undertaken—although it remained vague on the focus and scope of the proposed exercise.

The contentious 1982 legislation defines eligibility in racial terms and renders stateless most Rohingya, a Muslim minority residing in western Arakan State.

The ANP lawmaker Khin Saw Wai stated that “illegal migration from another country” and an influx of “Bengalis” had led to violence and instability in Burma. (Courtesy of Irrawaddy)

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