You're reading: Ukraine’s parliament to toughen up dual citizenship laws

The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, is intending to enhance mechanisms to fight against double citizenship in the country.

The draft lawprovides amendments to the law on citizenship of Ukraine. According to the draft adopted in the first reading those holding passports of other states will be obliged to inform Ukrainian authorities – local executive bodies, or special Ukrainian body for citizenship or its local branch, or a diplomatic mission of Ukraine abroad – about the fact of returning the passports of foreign states.

Failure to meet this requirement can be a reason for denying such persons Ukrainian citizenship.

These amendments will expand the powers of the Ukrainian state bodies and bodies of local-self-government in the questions of Ukrainian citizenship.

The Verkhovna Rada is intending to introduce restrictions on persons with double citizenship concerning their right to civil service, military service, and other services.

The new amendments will also restrict persons who have committed crimes from obtaining of Ukrainian citizenship under simplified procedure.

The Constitution of Ukraine bans double citizenship.