East Timorese nationality law

Last updated

East Timorese nationality law is regulated by the 2002 Constitution, the Nationality Act of the same year, the regulation of the Nationality Act Decree-Law No. 1 of 2004, as well as various international agreements to which East Timor has been a signatory. [1] These laws determine who is, or is eligible to be, a national of East Timor. [2] The legal means to acquire nationality and formal membership in a nation differ from the relationship of rights and obligations between a national and the nation, known as citizenship. [3] [4] [5] East Timorese nationality is typically obtained either on the principle of jus soli, i.e. by birth in East Timor; or under the rules of jus sanguinis, i.e. by birth abroad to at least one parent with East Timorese nationality. It can also be granted to a permanent resident who has lived in East Timor for a given period of time through naturalization. [2]

Contents

Acquiring East Timorese nationality

East Timorese nationality is acquired by birth, or later in life through adoption, marriage, or regular naturalization. [6] Acquisition applies to:

By birth

By naturalization

Naturalization applications are reviewed by the Minister of Justice, who has the authority to administer all matters pertaining to nationality except those of service to the country. The National Parliament administers special naturalization for services to the nation. [6] Applicants must typically file a request and provide documentation to confirm that they are of legal majority in East Timor and their country of origin; have regularly resided in East Timor for ten years either before 7 December 1975 or after 20 May 2002; speak either the Portuguese or Tetum languages; and know basic history and cultural information about East Timor. They are required to prove their ability for integration in and compliance with the rules of Timorese society and their ability to sustain themselves. Such documents as birth certificates, criminal records, and other certificates to confirm language and culture proficiency, self-support, and residency are required. [11] Those who may seek naturalization include:

Loss of East Timorese nationality

Nationals born in East Timor cannot be deprived of their nationality but can voluntarily renounce it, if they have acquired other nationality. Naturalized persons can lose their nationality in East Timor by committing acts of espionage, treason, or other actions which jeopardize state security; [16] for having acquired naturalization based on false or fraudulent documents; [17] or through serving in a foreign military or governmental capacity without the approval of East Timorese authorities. [18]

Dual nationality

Dual nationality is accepted in East Timor. [19]

History

Portuguese period (1515–1975)

When the Portuguese first encountered the island of Timor, explorers reported two provinces, composed of localized chiefdoms who were economically aligned. [20] [21] The two provinces, Belu in the east composed of the Wehali and Suai-Kamanasa chiefdoms, and Servião in the west where the Atoni or Dawan people lived. [20] Portuguese interest in the island was centered around the sandalwood trade, but the first Portuguese settlers were Dominican priests who introduced Catholicism to the island by 1515. Between their first settlement and 1640, ten isolated missions were set up and twenty-two churches were founded, but there was no colonial Portuguese administration established. [22] Independent Portuguese traders, were operating in Timor from 1523. [23] In 1613 the Dutch established control of the western part of the island, as well as capturing the fort and trading base the Portuguese had founded on Solor island in 1566. [24] [25] Relocating to Larantuka on Flores island, the Portuguese and their descendants, known as Larantuqueiros or Topasses, who had been born on Solar island to indigenous women, controlled the trade routes between Flores, Solor and Timor. [24] [26] By 1623, these mixed-race descendants had established a stronghold in northern Timor, and by 1642 they were a significant presence on the island. [24] [27] Conflict between the Dutch and Portuguese continued until 1663, when a treaty between the two powers brought relative peace until 1749. [28]

The Topasses consolidated their power on Timor under the leadership of Mateus da Costa  [ pt ] and António da Hornay  [ pt ] establishing virtually complete control of the island. [29] They ruled by controlling commerce in the territory and had only loose ties to Portuguese India, occasionally sending donations to Goa to appease the viceroy, who typically governed the Portuguese possessions in Asia. [30] The first Portuguese governor of Solor and Timor, António de Mesquita Pimentel  [ pt ], was appointed in 1695. [31] In 1702, Governor António Coelho Guerreiro  [ pt ] established the seat of government for the territory in Lifau and attempted to impose colonial authority. He was ousted in 1704, and subsequent governors repeatedly dealt with rebellion as an answer to their attempts to assert authority or regulate affairs. [32] Portuguese rule was indirect and relied heavily upon local leaders. Though Portuguese law was extended to the territory, it operated alongside traditional norms and legal practices. [33] As established in 1603 by the Ordinances of Philip  [ pt ] (Portuguese : Ordenações Filipinas), Portuguese nationals were children born on the Iberian Peninsula or adjacent islands, Brazil, or to an official in service to the crown in the Portuguese possessions of Africa or Asia, whose father was a native of Portugal, or whose mother was a native of Portugal and was married to a foreigner who had established domicile in Portugal for a minimum of ten years. [33]

In 1822, Portugal promulgated its first Constitution, specifically mentioning East Timor as part of the kingdom. Under its provisions, Portuguese nationals were those born in the territories of the kingdom to a father who was born within the kingdom. Children born abroad had to establish a domicile in the kingdom unless the father was abroad in government service. Children born to foreign fathers in Portuguese territory could elect to be Portuguese upon reaching majority if they were domiciled in Portugal. Only illegitimate children could derive nationality from their mothers. Foundlings and freed slaves within the territory were also included as Portuguese. Foreign men could naturalize by investing or providing useful commercial or industrial activities in the kingdom, marrying a Portuguese woman, or through service to the crown. [34] The revised Constitution of 1826 defined nationals as anyone born in Portuguese territory unless the father was a foreigner in service to his nation. [35] [Notes 2] These terms were reiterated in the first Civil Code adopted by Portugal in 1867, [35] which also required married women to follow the nationality of their spouse. In other words, foreign women gained Portuguese nationality upon marriage, while native women lost Portuguese nationality if they married a foreign man, unless his nation did not grant her nationality. [37] In 1959 the first Portuguese Nationality Act was passed, which retained birth in the territory as its foundation for establishing nationality. [35]

Portuguese/Indonesian period (1975–1999)

After the Carnation Revolution of 1974, Portugal acknowledged that under Chapter XI of the Charter of the United Nations its overseas possessions had the right to gain independence. A National Decolonisation Commission was established to begin consultations with East Timor in 1975. [38] Before negotiations were completed, the political party Timorese Democratic Union attempted a Coup d'état and a brief civil war ensued. Fretilin Portuguese : Frente Revolucionária de Timor-Leste Independente emerged victorious and declared the independence of East Timor on 28 November 1975. [39] On 7 December 1975, Indonesia invaded East Timor. Portugal notified the United Nations (UN) of the invasion and immediately severed diplomatic relations with Indonesia. [40] [Notes 3] The United Nations Security Council issued a resolution in 1976 calling for the immediate withdrawal of Indonesian troops and reaffirming East Timor's right to self-determination. Disregarding the UN, Indonesia formally annexed the territory in July. [40]

Accompanying the annexation, Indonesia extended nationality to the East Timorese, but allowed those who wished to retain their Portuguese nationality to do so. Many who chose to remain nationals of Portugal left the country. Those who stayed, though ostensibly citizens of Indonesia and entitled to the same rights, were treated as foreigners and faced threats that their property would be confiscated. [42] Children born in East Timor during the occupation automatically acquired Indonesian citizenship through their father if they were legitimate, their mother if they were illegitimate or the father was stateless, or if they were foundlings. Upon marriage, women automatically derived the nationality of their spouse, but were required to renounce their original nationality. For children of those who had remained Portuguese nationals, they were considered to be Portuguese born abroad and had to either declare a desire to be Portuguese, register the birth in the Portuguese Civil Registry, or move to Portuguese territory and both establish a domicile there and declare the wish to be Portuguese to the authorities. Portugal revised its Nationality Law in 1981, including a provision that those born "in a territory under Portuguese administration" were Portuguese, thus from that date, East Timorese were again automatically Portuguese. [43] The revision also eliminated the provision from previous Portuguese laws that women lost nationality upon marriage and provided a process for repatriation in Article 31. [44]

From 1982 to the late-1990s, talks between UN officials, Indonesia, and Portugal, failed to resolve the issue of East Timor's independence. After Suharto resigned as President of Indonesia in 1998, the Indonesian government agreed to allow a transition to independence. Portugal and Indonesia signed an agreement to allow the UN to draft a proposal and constitutional framework for East Timor. [45] A UN commission organized a consultation with East Timorese persons both domestic and abroad, registering over 450,000 persons. The vote on transitional independence, held on 30 August 1999, showed a participation rate of 98% and a rejection by 78.5% of the voters of the proposal to become an autonomous region of Indonesia. Militia groups which supported East Timor remaining part of Indonesia engaged in widespread violence after the announcement of the results. [46] The voting commission members were evacuated and a UN peacekeeping mission was sent in to try to restore order and provide humanitarian aid to those displaced by the militias. After peace was regained, on 19 October 1999, the Indonesian legislature ratified the voting results and officially recognized East Timor's separation from Indonesia. [47]

UN period to independence (1999–2004)

The United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) was established on 25 October 1999. [47] It provided the interim civil administration and maintenance of law and order in the territory until East Timor developed institutions for self-governance and full independence on 20 May 2002. [48] At the time of independence, all persons born, regardless of the place of their birth, to East Timorese parents, or in the territory to parents whose nationality was unknown, parents who were stateless, or to unknown parents, became nationals of East Timor. Children of foreigners born in East Timor were allowed to declare that they desired to have East Timorese nationality upon reaching the age of majority (17 years). Under terms of the 2002 Constitution, dual nationality was allowed and thus East Timorese nationals were allowed to retain their Indonesian and/or Portuguese nationalities. [49] After independence the 2002 Nationality Law and 2004 Regulation of the Nationality Act, were passed by the legislature to establish the current rules for nationality. [50]

Notes

  1. ↑ Residency first established during the Indonesian occupation of East Timor is precluded from consideration as regular residency. Even if a person resided in the territory for ten years after independence, they are ineligible for naturalization. [11]
  2. ↑ Legal scholars debated until the late-nineteenth century whether birth in the territory or birth in the territory to Catholics, the official state religion, was required for deriving Portuguese nationality. Colonial administrators typically ignored the question of religion. When in 1911, Portugal established separation of church and state, the question became moot. [36]
  3. ↑ Because Portugal did not recognize East Timor's declaration of independence or the legitimacy of the Indonesian annexation, Law 308-A/75 passed in 1975 did not apply to East Timor. The law established that persons born or domiciled in Portugal's overseas possessions immediately lost their Portuguese nationality upon independence, regardless of whether new nationality rules had been established. [41] Nationals of East Timor, who were Portuguese prior to 25 April 1976, were able to retain their Portuguese nationality. [40]

Related Research Articles

United States nationality law Law of U.S nationality

United States nationality law details the conditions in which a person holds United States nationality. In the United States, nationality is typically obtained through provisions in the U.S. Constitution, various laws, and international agreements. While the domestic documents often use citizenship and nationality interchangeably, nationality refers to the legal means in which a person obtains a national identity and formal membership in a nation and citizenship refers to the relationship a national has with the nation after becoming a member of it.

Peruvian nationality law

Peruvian nationality law is regulated by the 1993 Constitution of Peru, the Nationality Law 26574 of 1996, and the Supreme Decree 010-2002-IN, which regulates the implementation of Law 26574. These laws determine who is, or is eligible to be, a citizen of Peru. The legal means to acquire nationality, formal membership in a nation, differ from the relationship of rights and obligations between a national and the nation, known as citizenship. Peruvian nationality is typically obtained either on the principle of jus soli, i.e. by birth in Peru; or under the rules of jus sanguinis, i.e. by birth abroad to at least one parent with Peruvian nationality. It can also be granted to a permanent resident, who has lived in Peru for a given period of time, through naturalization.

Portuguese nationality law

Portuguese nationality law is the legal set of rules that regulate access to Portuguese citizenship, which is acquired mainly through descent from a Portuguese parent, naturalisation in Portugal or marriage to a Portuguese citizen.

History of Canadian nationality law History of citizenship in Canada

Since 1977, Canadian nationality has been regulated by the Citizenship Act. Canada established its own nationality law in 1946 with the enactment of the Canadian Citizenship Act 1946, which took effect on 1 January 1947. It was the second nation in the British Commonwealth to establish its own nationality law; the first was the Irish Free State in 1935.

Brazilian nationality law

Brazilian nationality law is based on both the principles of jus soli and of jus sanguinis. As a general rule, any person born in Brazil acquires Brazilian nationality at birth, irrespective of the status of parents. It may also be acquired by children born abroad of a Brazilian parent or by naturalization.

1999 East Timorese independence referendum Referendum

An independence referendum was held in East Timor on 30 August 1999. The referendum's origins lay with the request made by the President of Indonesia, B. J. Habibie, to the United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan on 27 January 1999, for the United Nations to hold a referendum, whereby the Indonesian province would be given choice of either greater autonomy within Indonesia or independence.

Chilean nationality law

Chilean nationality law is based on both principles of jus soli and jus sanguini. Nationality law is regulated by Article 10 of the Political Constitution of the Republic of Chile. The legal means to acquire nationality, formal membership in a nation, differ from the relationship of rights and obligations between a national and the nation, known as citizenship.

Mexican nationality law

Nationality in Mexico is defined by multiple laws, including the 30th article of the Constitution of Mexico and other laws. The Constitution's 32nd article specifies the rights granted by Mexican legislation to Mexicans who also possess dual nationality. This article was written to establish the norms in this subject in order to avoid conflicts which may arise in the case of dual nationality. This law was last modified in 2005.

Indonesian nationality law Nationality law in Indonesia

Indonesian nationality law is regulated by the 1945 Constitution, as amended; various statutes on nationality, as revised over time; as well as international agreements to which Indonesia has been a signatory. These laws determine who is, or is eligible to be, a national of Indonesia. The legal means to acquire nationality and formal membership in a nation differ from the relationship of rights and obligations between a national and the nation, known as citizenship. Indonesian nationality is typically obtained either on the principle of jus soli, i.e. by birth in Indonesia; or under the rules of jus sanguinis, i.e. by birth abroad to at least one parent with Indonesian nationality. It can also be granted to a permanent resident who has lived in Indonesia for a given period of time through naturalization.

Colombian nationality law

Colombian nationality is typically obtained by birth in Colombia when one of the parents is either a Colombian national or a Colombian legal resident, by birth abroad when at least one parent was born in Colombia, or by naturalization, as defined by Article 96 of the Constitution of Colombia and the Law 43-1993 as modified by Legislative Act 1 of 2002. Colombian law differentiates between nationality and citizenship. Nationality is the attribute of the person in international law that describes their relationship to the State, whereas citizenship is given to those nationals that have certain rights and responsibilities to the State. Article 98 of the Colombian constitution establishes that Colombian citizens are those nationals that are 18 years of age or older. Colombian citizens are entitled to vote in elections and exercise the public actions provided in the constitution.

Nigerian nationality law

Nigerian nationality law is the law of Nigeria which concerns citizenship and other categories of Nigerian nationality.

South Sudanese nationality law

The South Sudanese nationality law dates back to 7 July 2011, when South Sudan declared independence. It is based upon the Constitution of South Sudan.

Guatemalan nationality law is regulated by the 1985 Constitution, as amended in 1995, and the 1966 Nationality Law, as amended in 1996. These laws determine who is, or is eligible to be, a citizen of Guatemala. The legal means to acquire nationality and formal membership in a nation differ from the relationship of rights and obligations between a national and the nation, known as citizenship. Guatemalan nationality is typically obtained either on the principle of jus soli, i.e. by birth in Guatemala; or under the rules of jus sanguinis, i.e. by birth abroad to at least one parent with Guatemalan nationality. It can also be granted to a permanent resident who has lived in Guatemala for a given period of time through naturalization.

Nicaraguan nationality law is regulated by the Constitution, the General Law for Migration and Foreigners, Law No. 761 and relevant treaties to which Nicaragua is a signatory. These laws determine who is, or is eligible to be, a citizen of Nicaragua. The legal means to acquire nationality and formal membership in a nation differ from the relationship of rights and obligations between a national and the nation, known as citizenship. Nicaraguan nationality is typically obtained either on the principle of jus soli, i.e. by birth in Nicaragua; or under the rules of jus sanguinis, i.e. by birth abroad to a parent with Nicaraguan nationality. It can also be granted to a permanent resident who has lived in the country for a given period of time through naturalization or for a foreigner who has provided exceptional service to the nation.

Ecuadorian nationality is regulated by the 2008 Constitution of Ecuador and the Naturalization Law of 1976. These laws determine who is, or is eligible to be, a national of Ecuador. The legal means to acquire nationality, formal membership in a nation, differ from the relationship of rights and obligations between a national and the nation, known as citizenship. Ecuadorian nationality is typically obtained either on the principle of jus soli, i.e. by birth in Ecuador; or under the rules of jus sanguinis, i.e. by birth abroad to at least one parent with Ecuadorian nationality. It can also be granted to a permanent resident, who has lived in Ecuador for a given period of time, through naturalization.

Surinamese nationality law is regulated by the 1987 Constitution, the Allocation Agreement of 1975, and the 2014 Surinamese Nationality Law. It is highly influenced by Dutch law. These statutes determine who is, or is eligible to be, a citizen of Suriname. The legal means to acquire nationality, formal membership in a nation, differ from the relationship of rights and obligations between a national and the nation, known as citizenship. Surinamese nationality is typically obtained either under the rules of jus sanguinis, i.e. birth to at least one parent with Surinamese nationality; or on the principle of jus soli, i.e. by birth in Suriname. It can also be granted to a permanent resident who has lived in Suriname for a given period of time or by presidential decree through naturalization.

Costa Rican nationality law is regulated by the Options and Naturalizations Act, which was originally named the Immigration and Naturalization Act and established under the 1949 Constitution. These laws determine who is, or is eligible to be, a citizen of Costa Rica. The legal means to acquire nationality and formal membership in a nation differ from the relationship of rights and obligations between a national and the nation, known as citizenship. Costa Rican nationality is typically obtained either on the principle of jus soli, i.e. by birth in Costa Rica; or under the rules of jus sanguinis, i.e. by birth abroad to at least one parent with Costa Rican nationality. It can also be granted to a permanent resident who has lived in Costa Rica for a given period of time through naturalization.

Dominican Republic nationality law is regulated by the 2015 Constitution, Law 1683 of 1948, the 2014 Naturalization Law #169-14, and relevant treaties to which the Dominican Republic is a signatory. These laws determine who is, or is eligible to be, a citizen of the Dominican Republic. The legal means to acquire nationality and formal membership in a nation differ from the relationship of rights and obligations between a national and the nation, known as citizenship. Nationality in the Dominican Republic is typically obtained either on the principle of jus soli, i.e. by birth in the Dominican Republic; or under the rules of jus sanguinis, i.e. by birth abroad to a parent with Dominican nationality. It can also be granted to a permanent resident who has lived in the country for a given period of time through naturalization or for a foreigner who has provided exceptional service to the nation.

Honduran nationality law is regulated by the Constitution, the Migration and Aliens Act, the 2014 Law on Protection of Honduran Migrants and their Families and relevant treaties to which Honduras is a signatory. These laws determine who is, or is eligible to be, a citizen of Honduras. The legal means to acquire nationality and formal membership in a nation differ from the relationship of rights and obligations between a national and the nation, known as citizenship. Honduran nationality is typically obtained either on the principle of jus soli, i.e. by birth in Honduras; or under the rules of jus sanguinis, i.e. by birth abroad to a parent with Honduran nationality. It can also be granted to a permanent resident who has lived in the country for a given period of time through naturalization.

Panamanian nationality law is regulated by the 1972 Constitution, as amended by legislative acts; the Civil Code; migration statues, such as Law Decree No. 3 of 2008; and relevant treaties to which Panama is a signatory. These laws determine who is, or is eligible to be, a citizen of Panama. The legal means to acquire nationality and formal membership in a nation differ from the relationship of rights and obligations between a national and the nation, known as citizenship. Panamanian nationality is typically obtained either on the principle of jus soli, i.e. by birth in Panama; or under the rules of jus sanguinis, i.e. by birth abroad to a parent with Panamanian nationality. It can also be granted to a permanent resident who has lived in the country for a given period of time through naturalization.

References

Citations

  1. ↑ Jerónimo 2017, pp. 2, 20–21.
  2. 1 2 Jerónimo 2017, p. 21.
  3. ↑ Boll 2007, p. 66-67.
  4. ↑ Honohan & Rougier 2018, p. 338.
  5. ↑ Guerry & Rundell 2016, p. 73.
  6. 1 2 Jerónimo 2017, p. 23.
  7. ↑ Jerónimo 2017, p. 27.
  8. ↑ Jerónimo 2017, pp. 24–25.
  9. ↑ Jerónimo 2017, p. 25.
  10. ↑ Jerónimo 2017, p. 26.
  11. 1 2 Jerónimo 2017, p. 32.
  12. ↑ Jerónimo 2017, p. 30.
  13. ↑ Jerónimo 2017, p. 29.
  14. ↑ Jerónimo 2017, p. 31.
  15. ↑ Jerónimo 2017, pp. 32–33.
  16. ↑ Jerónimo 2017, p. 37.
  17. ↑ Jerónimo 2017, pp. 34, 37.
  18. ↑ Jerónimo 2017, pp. 36–37.
  19. ↑ Jerónimo 2017, p. 2.
  20. 1 2 Leach 2016, p. 23.
  21. ↑ Molnar 2009, p. 26.
  22. ↑ Molnar 2009, p. 27.
  23. ↑ Hägerdal 2012, p. 21.
  24. 1 2 3 Molnar 2009, p. 28.
  25. ↑ West 2010, p. 198.
  26. ↑ Hägerdal 2012, p. 45.
  27. ↑ Hägerdal 2012, p. 47.
  28. ↑ Hägerdal 2012, p. 173.
  29. ↑ Hägerdal 2012, p. 180.
  30. ↑ Hägerdal 2012, p. 183.
  31. ↑ Hägerdal 2012, p. 312.
  32. ↑ Leach 2016, p. 27.
  33. 1 2 Jerónimo 2017, p. 4.
  34. ↑ Jerónimo 2017, pp. 4–5.
  35. 1 2 3 Jerónimo 2017, p. 5.
  36. Jerónimo 2017, p. 6.
  37. ↑ Codigo Civil 1868, pp. 6–7.
  38. ↑ Jerónimo 2017, p. 7.
  39. ↑ Jerónimo 2017, pp. 7–8.
  40. 1 2 Jerónimo 2017, p. 9.
  41. Jerónimo 2017, p. 8.
  42. ↑ Jerónimo 2017, p. 10.
  43. ↑ Jerónimo 2017, p. 11.
  44. ↑ Lei da nacionalidade 2020.
  45. ↑ Jerónimo 2017, p. 12.
  46. ↑ Jerónimo 2017, p. 13.
  47. 1 2 Jerónimo 2017, p. 14.
  48. ↑ Jerónimo 2017, pp. 14–15, 18.
  49. ↑ Jerónimo 2017, p. 18.
  50. ↑ Jerónimo 2017, p. 20.

Bibliography

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.