Nepalese government is contemplating on the idea of changing citizenship law. Under the existing system, children belonging to Nepalese fathers (and foreigner mothers) can become Nepalese citizen but a child whose mother is a Nepalese woman and father is a foreigner man does not get citizenship. These children can stay in Nepal but cannot apply for a job, become the owner of a business or even own property.
Indian and Nepalese people can go to each other’s country without any restriction and that is why many Nepalese women have got children with foreigners. If Nepalese government carries out the change in the law, nearly 6 million people will get the benefit. I am quoting from a Reuters report:
“Under present law, children -- whose mothers are Nepali but fathers are foreigners -- are not recognised as nationals of the Himalayan nation.
While they have residency rights, they cannot work, own businesses or have property rights, forcing most to falsify official documents and use fake names.
Industry Minister Hridayesh Tripathi said a draft law had been finalised allowing children born before April 13, 1990 -- when Nepal ended decades of absolute monarchy and established democracy -- to gain citizenship if either parent was Nepali.
"This is a big decision," Tripathi told Reuters. "If implemented honestly this will resolve an old problem which was getting complex every year," he said.
The change would benefit up to six million people mainly living in Nepal's southern plains whose problem was ignored by subsequent governments, Tripathi said.”
The new government in Nepal is trying to carry out some serious social reforms. It is a good sign and I hope that the government will carry out more reforms to improve the condition of women in Nepal.
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