Petro Poroshenko Bloc member Iryna Friz initiates the start of a nationwide discussion on the introduction of the institute of limited citizenship on the Latvian model and the institution of dual citizenship, the party’s press service reported on Tuesday.
“I consider it necessary to start a national discussion on the introduction of the institute of limited citizenship on the Latvian model. It should provide for the restriction of certain rights: to elect and be elected to elective institutions of the state, to occupy positions in government bodies (in particular, law enforcement agencies),” Friz wrote on Facebook.
“The basis for this, in my opinion, should be judicial convictions for crimes such as treason, encroachment on the territorial integrity of Ukraine, participation in terrorist organizations and the financing of terrorism,” she said.
Friz also supported the initiative of Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin to start a discussion on dual citizenship.
“I think that taking into account the foreign policy of Ukraine in NATO and the European Union, where the Schengen zone operates and there are norms of free movement of labor between member countries, it is necessary to introduce a distinction between citizenships of other countries that may be allowed for citizens of Ukraine,” Friz said.
“Taking into account that the issue of dual citizenship in certain western regions of Ukraine has become critical, it is necessary to create transparent rules of the game, because depriving thousands of citizens of Ukrainian passports due to the presence of Hungarian, Romanian, Polish or other passports of the partner countries is wrong. But the strategy should not concern the citizenship of a country that is carrying out aggression and has occupied part of our territory. There should be a complete lack of any tolerance in the matter of dual citizenship for a Russian passport,” she added.
“Consequently, within the framework of the institute of limited citizenship, such status could be automatically obtained by citizens of Ukraine with the passport of the aggressor country: let them work, pay taxes in Ukraine, but not to affect its political life. Such innovations will level the risks associated with the “fifth column of Russia” in our state. At the same time, to prevent criticism of the idea from the adherents of the “Russian world,” I want to ask the question: What would be the attitude towards people with passports of the Third Reich during World War II? By this post I would like to start a public debate on this urgent issue for Ukraine,” she added.
