Dual Citizenship inDe FactoStates: Comparative Case Study of Abkhazia and Transnistria

Abstract

The contested nature of de facto states and their acceptance of dual citizenship results in the overlap of multiple citizenship regimes, leading to individuals living in de facto states possessing multiple citizenship statuses. Using the Most Similar Systems Design, this article explores the factors that influence the (divergent) citizenship regimes of Abkhazia and Transnistria; the former allows dual citizenship only with Russia, while the latter places no restrictions. The primary reason for the adoption of dual citizenship is for pragmatic reasons, as the secondary citizenship can compensate for the lack of benefits (such as international travel, diplomatic protection) afforded by the de facto state’s citizenship. This said, having an ethnicized national identity, in contrast to a civic (state-centered) national identity, can produce (dual) citizenship laws that give preferential treatment to the titular group and its diaspora. Additionally, the influence exerted by the patron state (Russia) and the severity of the conflict with the parent state (Georgia/Moldova) influences dual citizenship in becoming conditional and thus more exclusive.

Penuntasan Sengketa Pilkada Sabu Raijua Provinsi Nusa Tenggara Timur Tahun 2020 oleh Mahkama Konstitusi Resolution of the Sabu Raijua Regional Election Dispute in East Nusa Tenggara in 2020 By

“…Seorang WNI tersebut dapat kehilangan status kewarganegarannya apabila dikarenakan keinginan dan kemauan sendiri untuk menjadikan bangsa atau negara lain sebagai kewarganegarannya; 2. seorang WNI tersebut tetap memertahankan status kewarganegaraan lain yang melekat padanya atau tidak ada penolakan atas status yang melekat itu padahal dia memiliki kesempatan untuk hal melakukan tersebut; 3. Seorang WNI tersebut memasuki kedinasan tentara asing di luar adanya perizinan oleh presiden (Ganohariti, 2020); 4. Seorang WNI tersebut memasuki kedinasan di negara asing atas kemauannya sendiri dimana posisi atau jabatan yang diterima memiliki peraturan seperti Indonesia yaitu hanya bisa diduduki oleh seorang WNI; 5.…”

The Dilemma of Dual Citizenship Plan in Indonesia: An Overview of Politics and Human Rights

“…According to recent dual citizenship research by Ganohariti (2020), nations that recognize a de facto state will consider these people to have dual citizenship, whereas nations that do not will merely recognize them as citizens of a recognized nation with dual citizenship. their country of origin.…”

“…This implies that considerations affecting dual citizenship policies in de facto countries go beyond those generally acknowledged, with the practical advantages of compensatory citizenship serving as the most significant factor. According to Ganohariti (2020), the presence of a diaspora and the degree of ethnicization of national identity can result in the treatment of some ethnic groups being preferred (Abkhaz). Additionally, the extent of exclusivity of the dual citizenship policy appears to be influenced by the sponsor state's growing power through its support for homeland nationalism (Russia) and the severity of its disputes with the mother country (Georgia/Moldova).…”