Whether Dominica still offers foreigners citizenship in return for investment in Dominica; whether Dominica still recognizes the Dominican citizenship of foreigners who acquired such citizenship in the past; grounds for forfeiture of Dominican citizenship [DMA36698.E]

A Dominican diplomat at the High Commission for the Countries of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States in Ottawa stated that the Economic Citizenship programme was cancelled in the second half of the year 2000 (11 Apr. 2001). This is confirmed by Dominican media sources (The Chronicle 1 Sept. 2000; The Sun 13 Sept. 2000). According to the Dominican newspaper The Chronicle, the Dominican Prime Minister announced the cancellation of the programme in the last week of August 2000 (1 Sept. 2000). The diplomat added, however, that people who had already acquired Dominican citizenship under the Economic Citizenship programme did not lose that citizenship when the programme was cancelled (11 Apr. 2001). The diplomat was not able to provide information on the grounds for forfeiture of Dominican citizenship.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References


The Chronicle [Dominica]. 1 September 2000. "Our Citizenship - Not for Sale." http://www.delphis.dm/thechronicle/000901.htm [Accessed 10 Apr. 2001]

High Commission for the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, Ottawa. 11 April 2001. Telephone interview.

The Sun [Dominica]. 13 September 2000. "Ban Bannis, Petition Says." http://www.delphis.dm/thesun/000913.htm [Accessed 10 Apr. 2001]

Other Sources Consulted


Internet sites including:

Caribbean News Agency

Hieros Gamos : The Comprehensive Law and Government Portal

The Independent (Dominica)

International Business Unit of the Commonwealth of Dominica

Law Research

LEXIS/NEXIS

United States. Visa Reciprocity and Country Documents Finder: Dominica

World News Connection