KATHMANDU, July 13: The Stateless Citizens Struggle Committee has met Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak to thank and congratulate the government for passing the Nepal Citizenship (Second Amendment) Bill, 2082 BS, from the House of Representatives (HoR).
A delegation led by committee chair Er. Indrajit Safi met Minister Lekhak on Saturday, thanking him and congratulating him for opening the path to citizenship for hundreds of thousands of stateless individuals.
Home Minister to MPs: Help pass Citizenship Bill
The committee hailed the bill as a historic move, particularly highlighting the progressive provision of granting citizenship through the mother's name.
The committee stated that the bill, which has now been tabled in the National Assembly after passing with a majority in the lower house, marks a significant step forward in the struggle for citizenship rights.
During the meeting, Home Minister Lekhak expressed readiness to make further amendments to the bill if necessary. He assured the committee that additional discussions could be held to ensure that those deprived of citizenship due to the lack of legal provisions, despite constitutional guarantees, are included.
“If the constitution entitles someone to citizenship but legal gaps have left them without it, then we should hold discussions and make amendments accordingly,” Minister Lekhak said.
The Nepal Citizenship (Second Amendment) Bill, 2082, recently passed by the HoR, is currently under consideration in the National Assembly.
