The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
Immigration has taken note of complaints to the Ministry from Bahamian
citizens about the comments made in the press by a purported citizen of
The Bahamas who now lives in the United States and the adverse comments
about The Bahamas from a state legislator in Florida. The Ministry is
investigating the complaints to determine what are the appropriate
administrative measures if any that are necessary to protect the
sovereign integrity of The Bahamas.
The Ministry reminds the public that the constitution requires all citizens to act in manner which does not prejudice the sovereignty of the state or jeopardizes their citizenship. Any visitor to our country must comport themselves in accordance with the law.
The Constitution speaks in Article 11of the circumstances that can lead to the Governor General depriving a Bahamian of citizenship.
11. (1) If the Governor-General is satisfied that any citizen of The Bahamas has at any time after 9th July 1973 acquired by registration, naturalization or other voluntary and formal act (other than marriage) the citizenship of any other country any rights available to him under the law of that country, being rights accorded exclusively to its citizens, the Governor-General may by order deprive that person of his citizenship.
(2) If the Governor-General is satisfied that any citizen of The Bahamas has at any time after 9th July 1973 voluntarily claimed and exercised in any other country any rights available to him under the law of that country, being rights accorded exclusively to its citizens, the Governor-General may by order deprive that person of his citizenship.
These are very limited circumstances in which the Governor General can act.
The Bahamas Nationality Act says in Section 11 ( 2) (a) (iii) that the Minister for Nationality may by order deprive someone who is a naturalized citizen of his or her citizenship if that person has shown himself by act or speech to be disloyal or disaffected towards The Bahamas.
The point here is that citizenship of The Bahamas is precious and important and worthy. It is not to be enterprised or treated lightly.
I urge all citizens therefore to be mindful that we have in all things to be sure of our conduct. The world marks the manner of our bearing.
The policies are not complicated. They are not targeted at any particular national group.
I am hoping that we have a good discussion this morning.
--
Elcott Coleby
Deputy Director
Bahamas Information Services
326-5833
477-7006
The Ministry reminds the public that the constitution requires all citizens to act in manner which does not prejudice the sovereignty of the state or jeopardizes their citizenship. Any visitor to our country must comport themselves in accordance with the law.
The Constitution speaks in Article 11of the circumstances that can lead to the Governor General depriving a Bahamian of citizenship.
11. (1) If the Governor-General is satisfied that any citizen of The Bahamas has at any time after 9th July 1973 acquired by registration, naturalization or other voluntary and formal act (other than marriage) the citizenship of any other country any rights available to him under the law of that country, being rights accorded exclusively to its citizens, the Governor-General may by order deprive that person of his citizenship.
(2) If the Governor-General is satisfied that any citizen of The Bahamas has at any time after 9th July 1973 voluntarily claimed and exercised in any other country any rights available to him under the law of that country, being rights accorded exclusively to its citizens, the Governor-General may by order deprive that person of his citizenship.
These are very limited circumstances in which the Governor General can act.
The Bahamas Nationality Act says in Section 11 ( 2) (a) (iii) that the Minister for Nationality may by order deprive someone who is a naturalized citizen of his or her citizenship if that person has shown himself by act or speech to be disloyal or disaffected towards The Bahamas.
The point here is that citizenship of The Bahamas is precious and important and worthy. It is not to be enterprised or treated lightly.
I urge all citizens therefore to be mindful that we have in all things to be sure of our conduct. The world marks the manner of our bearing.
The policies are not complicated. They are not targeted at any particular national group.
I am hoping that we have a good discussion this morning.
--
Elcott Coleby
Deputy Director
Bahamas Information Services
326-5833
477-7006
