Report on the Introduction of Dual Citizenship to Tanzania
Published: 12/Mai/2006
Source: Law Reform Commission of Tanzania
In June 2004 the Law Reform Commission of Tanzania, in accordance with its mandate as provided under sections 4 (2) and 9 (1) of the Law Reform Commission of Tanzania Act, [CAP 171 RE. 2002], and acting on its own accord, commenced a study on the Introduction of Dual Citizenship in Tanzania.
The objective of the Commission in undertaking this study was to determine the following issues:
a) Whether there were justifiable reasons for proscribing dual citizenship system in the Tanzania legislation on attainment of independence, and whether these reasons are still valid today and whether such reasons can be accommodated within the framework of the proposed regime of dual citizenship;
b) Whether there would be any impact in the spheres of the economy, security, allegiance, culture, social and ethnicity in case dual citizenship is enshrined in the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania, the citizenship and immigration laws of Tanzania;
c) Whether there are specific and direct advantages to the country, and individual Tanzanians in particular, by introducing the concept of dual citizenship in our citizenship law and to what extent;
d) Whether there are possible ri ks attendant to the introduction of a dual citizenship regime and if so ways to restrict their impact during the process of formulation of a suitable legal framework concerning the subject matter;
e) If some form of dual citizenship were to be adopted, what type of restrictions could be considered necessary m order to safeguard national identity and security; and
f) Whether person of Tanzanian origin living abroad should be permitted to vote or to be voted into positions of leadership or to be allowed to hold high position in the government at ministerial or presidential levels.
The Commission has completed the study after an extensive literature review, research, public hearing countrywide and consultation at a stakeholders’ workshop during which more inputs were received both at the workshop and through written presentation from abroad.
According to section 14(1) of the Lau• Rtjorm Commission ef Tanzania Act, (CAP 171 RE 2002), the Commission is honoured to submit to you the Final Report on the subject stated herein above.
Download from TanzLII: https://tanzlii.org/akn/tz/doc/law-reform-report/2006-05-12/introduction-of-dual-citizenship-in-tanzania/eng@2006-05-12