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The Global Gender Equality Constitutional Database is a repository of gender equality related provisions in 194 constitutions from around the world. The Database was updated in partnership with the International Bar Association's Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) and with support from the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) and the Government of Japan. Experience its wealth and depth of information by starting your search now.
Citizenship and Nationality
- English(1) The following persons shall be citizens of Namibia by birth:
(a) those born in Namibia before the date of Independence whose fathers or mothers would have been Namibian citizens at the time of the birth of such persons, if this Constitution had been in force at that time; and
(b) those born in Namibia before the date of Independence, who are not Namibian citizens under Sub-Article (a) hereof, and whose fathers or mothers were ordinarily resident in Namibia at the time of the birth of such persons: provided that their fathers or mothers were not then persons:
(aa) who were enjoying diplomatic immunity in Namibia under any law relating to diplomatic privileges; or
(bb) who were career representatives of another country; or
(cc) who were members of any police, military or security unit seconded for service within Namibia by the Government of another country: provided further that this Sub-Article shall not apply to persons claiming citizenship of Namibia by birth if such persons were ordinarily resident in Namibia at the date of Independence and had been so resident for a continuous period of not less than five (5) years prior to such date, or if the fathers or mothers of such persons claiming citizenship were ordinarily resident in Namibia at the date of the birth of such persons and had been so resident for a continuous period of not less than five (5) years prior to such date;
(c) those born in Namibia after the date of Independence whose fathers or mothers are Namibian citizens at the time of the birth of such persons;
(d) those born in Namibia after the date of Independence who do not qualify for citizenship under Sub-Article (c) hereof, and whose fathers or mothers are ordinarily resident in Namibia at the time of the birth of such persons: provided that their fathers or mothers are not then persons:
(aa) enjoying diplomatic immunity in Namibia under any law relating to diplomatic privileges; or
(bb) who are career representatives of another country; or
(cc) who are members of any police, military or security unit seconded for service within Namibia by the Government of another country; or
(dd) who are illegal immigrants:
provided further that Sub-Articles (aa), (bb), (cc) and (dd) hereof will not apply to children who would otherwise be stateless.
(2) The following persons shall be citizens of Namibia by descent:
(a) those who are not Namibian citizens under Sub-Article (1) hereof and whose fathers or mothers at the time of the birth of such persons are citizens of Namibia or whose fathers or mothers would have qualified for Namibian citizenship by birth under Sub-Article (1) hereof, if this Constitution had been in force at that time; and
(b) who comply with such requirements as to registration of citizenship as may be required by Act of Parliament: provided that nothing in this Constitution shall preclude Parliament from enacting legislation which requires the birth of such persons born after the date of Independence to be registered within a specific time either in Namibia or at an embassy, consulate or office of a trade representative of the Government of Namibia.
(3) The following persons shall be citizens of Namibia by marriage:
(a) those who are not Namibian citizens under Sub-Article (1) or (2) hereof and who:
(aa) in good faith marry a Namibian citizen or, prior to the coming into force of this Constitution, in good faith married a person who would have qualified for Namibian citizenship if this Constitution had been in force; and
(bb) subsequent to such marriage have ordinarily resided in Namibia as the spouse of such person for a period of not less than ten (10) years; and
(cc) apply to become citizens of Namibia;
(b) for the purposes of this Sub-Article (and without derogating from any effect that it may have for any other purposes) a marriage by customary law shall be deemed to be a marriage: provided that nothing in this Constitution shall preclude Parliament from enacting legislation which defines the requirements which need to be satisfied for a marriage by customary law to be recognised as such for the purposes of this Sub-Article.
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(5) Citizenship by naturalisation may be applied for by persons who are not Namibian citizens
…
(7) Namibian citizenship shall be lost by persons who renounce their Namibian citizenship by voluntarily signing a formal declaration to that effect.
(8) Nothing in this Constitution shall preclude Parliament from enacting legislation providing for the loss of Namibian citizenship by persons who, after the date of Independence:
(a) have acquired the citizenship of any other country by any voluntary act; or
(b) have served or volunteered to serve in the armed or security forces of any other country without the written permission of the Namibian Government; or
(c) have taken up permanent residence in any other country and have absented themselves thereafter from Namibia for a period in excess of two (2) years without the written permission of the Namibian Government:
provided that no person who is a citizen of Namibia by birth or descent may be deprived of Namibian citizenship by such legislation.
(9) Parliament shall be entitled to make further laws not inconsistent with this Constitution regulating the acquisition or loss of Namibian citizenship. (Art. 4)
Citizenship and Nationality
- EnglishA citizen by birth does not lose citizenship by acquiring the citizenship of another country. (Art. 16)
- SwahiliRaia kwa kuzaliwa haupotezi uraia kwa kupata uraia wa nchi nyingine. (Kifungu cha 16)
Citizenship and Nationality
- English1. Parliament may make provision for the acquisition of citizenship of Lesotho by persons who are not eligible or who are no longer eligible to become citizens of Lesotho under the provisions of this Chapter.
2. Parliament may make provision for depriving of his citizenship of Lesotho any person other than a person who became or becomes—
a. a citizen of Lesotho by virtue of having been born in Lesotho; or
b. a citizen of Lesotho by descent,
unless he would thereby become stateless.
3. Parliament may make provision for the renunciation by any person of his citizenship of Lesotho. (Sec. 42)
Citizenship and Nationality
- English1. Persons born in Mozambique after the proclamation of independence are Mozambican nationals.
2. This rule shall not apply to children born of a foreign father and a foreign mother, when either of them is in Mozambique in the employ of the government of his or her country.
… (Art. 24) - Portuguese1. São moçambicanos os cidadãos nascidos em Moçambique após a proclamação da independência.
2. Exceptuam-se os filhos de pai e mãe estrangeiros quando qualquer deles se encontre em Moçambique ao serviço do Estado a que pertence.
… (Art. 24)
Citizenship and Nationality
- English
[The following] are of the domain of the law:
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- nationality,
… (Art. 57) - Arabic
تدخل في مجال القانون:
...
-الجنسية،
... (المادّة 57) - French
Sont du domaine de la loi :
…
- la nationalité,
… (Art. 57)
Citizenship and Nationality
- English(1) Persons are Zimbabwean citizens by birth if they were born in Zimbabwe and, when they were born—
(a) either their mother or their father was a Zimbabwean citizen; or
(b) any of their grandparents was a Zimbabwean citizen by birth or descent.
(2) Persons born outside Zimbabwe are Zimbabwean citizens by birth if, when they were born, either of their parents was a Zimbabwean citizen and—
(a) ordinarily resident in Zimbabwe; or
(b) working outside Zimbabwe for the State or an international organisation.
(3) A child found in Zimbabwe who is, or appears to be, less than fifteen years of age, and whose nationality and parents are not known, is presumed to be a Zimbabwean citizen by birth. (Sec. 36)
Citizenship and Nationality
- English
Without prejudice to the other provisions of this Constitution, the following matters are of the exclusive competence of the Central Power:
…
3. nationality,
… (Art. 202) - French
Sans préjudice des autres dispositions de la présente Constitution, les matières suivantes sont de la compétence exclusive du pouvoir central:
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3. la nationalité,
... (Art. 202)
Citizenship and Nationality
- English1. A citizen—
a. may renounce citizenship as prescribed; or
b. shall be deprived of citizenship if that citizenship was acquired by means of fraud, false representation or concealment of a material fact.
2. The process and procedures to be followed by the Citizenship Board of Zambia when granting or depriving a person of citizenship shall be prescribed. (Art. 40)
Citizenship and Nationality
- English(1) A person may acquire citizenship by registration where that person satisfies the Board on the conditions set out in subsection (2), (3) or (4).(2) The conditions for registration of a person are that the person-(a) has been ordinarily and lawfully resident in Eswatini,(i) for a continuous period of at least twelve months immediately preceding the date of application for registration; and(ii) for periods amounting in the aggregate to not less than five years during the seven years preceding the date of application for registration.(b) is of good character;(c) has an adequate knowledge of siSwati or English;(d) intends, in the event of citizenship being granted, to reside in Eswatini;(e) has adequate means for support whilst in Eswatini; and(f) has contributed and shall contribute to the development of the country.(3) A person who is ordinarily resident in Eswatini and has been so resident for a period of at least ten years and whose application is supported by a Chief after consultation with bandlancane or supported by three reputable citizens, may be registered as a citizen.(4) Citizenship by registration shall not be granted to any person under this section until that person has taken the oath or affirmation of allegiance in the Second Schedule or such other oath or affirmation as may be prescribed.(5) The person to whom citizenship is granted in terms of this section shall be a citizen from the date on which a certificate of registration as a citizen is granted.(6) In this section, “bandlancane” means a Chief’s council established in accordance with Eswatini law and custom. (Sec. 45)
Citizenship and Nationality
- English
The laws establishes the rules concerning:
…
- … nationality,
… (Art. 56) - Arabic
ترسي القوانين القواعد المتعلقة:
...
- ... الجنسية،
... (المادة 56) - French
La loi fixe les règles relatives:
…
- … à la nationalité,
… (Art. 56)