Lawmakers demand speedy justice for people without citizenship certificates

Published On: June 15, 2023 03:30 PM NPT By: Republica | @RepublicaNepal

KATHMANDU, June 15: Lawmakers across parties have argued that the court should pave the way for the Nepalis, who do not have citizenship certificates, to obtain citizenship certificates without any further delay.

Addressing the emergency hours of the meeting of House of Representatives (HoR) on Thursday, the lawmakers maintained that the court should immediately resolve the issue of citizenship certificates. The demand of lawmakers comes in the wake of the Supreme Court (SC) issuing an interim order directing the government bodies concerned not to implement the controversial Citizenship Amendment Bill that was certified by President Ram Chandra Paudel.

Stating that thousands of people are deprived of basic rights such as education and employment due to lack of citizenship certificates, the lawmakers drew the attention of all parties concerned to listen to the voices of the citizens without citizenship certificates.

Lawmaker Abdul Khan of Janamat Party said that everyone should take initiative to immediately grant citizenship certificates to those who are taking to the streets for the same. "Children who are deprived of citizenship are trying to self-immolate all over the country including Kathmandu. If this is not stopped, they may commit mass self-immolation tomorrow. Who will take the responsibility of such a situation–The government of Nepal or the court?" he questioned, “Is it a crime to say that we are citizens living in Nepal and we need citizenship certificates of the country?'

Another lawmaker Rekha Yadav said that the court should give a clear ruling on the matter related to the Citizenship Bill. “If the state and the courts do not give justice, then where will the youths go, how will they live in this country? If this country is to survive, the youths must be saved. Else, where will this country go?” she questioned.

Stating that the citizens living in their own country should not be made stateless, she said that everyone should take seriously the matter that they have demanded citizenship as they are Nepali.