Following the tabling of a draft law on Haitian nationality in August 2016 by the deputy of Pétion-ville Jerry Tardieu (VERITE) engaged in the fight for the integration of the Diaspora into the active political life of Haiti, the Lower House Committee "Justice, Public Security and Human Rights" presented last week his report on "the Haitian nationality law proposal" which deals with the inclusive integration of the Haitian diaspora, the naturalization, renunciation and recovery of Haitian nationality.

Jacob Latortue, the Secretary-Rapporteur of the Commission said "Due to the new developments, its conformity with the constitutional text and its comprehensiveness, the Commission recognizes the importance of this proposed law and asks that it be adopted by the Assembly of deputies."

This bill provides that a Haitian who acquires another nationality by naturalization retains Haitian nationality but can not assert his foreign nationality in Haiti while remaining subject to all rights, duties related to his Haitian nationality.

With regard to the loss of nationality, this bill provides that a person of Haitian nationality, residing abroad, who acquires a foreign nationality, loses his Haitian nationality only if he formally resigns to the Ministry of Justice if he resides in Haiti, or in the Haitian Consulate to which his domicile belongs, if he resides abroad insofar as this renunciation does not render the applicant stateless and satisfies the required conditions.

Moreover, the bill provides for the possibility of recovering Haitian nationality after having lost it in accordance with a procedure laid before the public prosecutor's office of the Court of First Instance of his domicile and after analyzing a set of required documents. In case of refusal, the bill provides a legal recourse for the applicant.

However, the Assembly's analysis of this very important law and certain interventions by the opposition did not allow the Assembly to be concluded by a vote and forced Jean Marie Forestal, the President of the Commission, to ask the Bureau for more time for the Commission be able to better analyze this bill and respond to objections.

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-22775-haiti-politic-constitutional-amendment-the-diaspora-wants-representatives-in-parliament.html

PI/ HaitiLibre