Russian law "On Citizenship": our proposals

Currently, there are many problems associated with obtaining citizenship of the Russian Federation by Pridnestrovian citizens permanently residing in PMR. This is almost the main topic that voters voice during meetings and receptions on personal issues not only to deputies of the Supreme Council, but also to deputies of the lower house of the Russian parliament, elected last September, thanks in part to the voices of Pridnestrovian Russians.

Difficulties with the adoption of Russian citizenship are due to the following circumstances. First, many residents were forced to obtain the citizenship of other countries in order to be able to travel outside the republic. At the same time, the legislation of Moldova has regulations that forcibly impose the citizenship of the Republic of Moldova. At the same time, the federal law "On Citizenship of the Russian Federation" does not allow the acceptance of Russian citizenship without renouncing the citizenship of a foreign state. In this case, the denial of Moldovan citizenship in practice is virtually impossible.

Secondly, the acquisition of citizenship of the Russian Federation by compatriots, native speakers of the Russian language, is complicated by the requirement to confirm the fact of permanent residence in the territory of Russia.

Third, there are no grounds for acquiring citizenship in a simplified manner by citizens born after 1992 in the current federal law.

In this regard, the Supreme Council initiated and sent to the State Duma the relevant amendments, which help to remove the shortcomings of the basic federal law. During public hearings Vice Speaker of Parliament Galina Antyufeeva spoke about it in the State Duma on March 20 this year. In particular, it was proposed:

A) to establish a preferential procedure for granting Russian citizenship in conflict areas, namely, it will not be required to observe the term of permanent residence in the territory of the Russian Federation, other citizenship and some other aspects are allowed. In the opinion of Pridnestrovian parliamentarians, this approach does not contradict the status of the Russian Federation as a state participating in the settlement of the conflict, as well as the legal successor of the USSR.

B) to establish that the list of relevant territories is determined by the President of the Russian Federation, which corresponds to the distribution of responsibilities between various subjects of law-making and law enforcement activities established by the federal constitutional law "On Citizenship of the Russian Federation";

C) to remove the requirements for the provision of a certificate of the lack of citizenship of another country. In particular, in Moldova for citizens born in the territory of Moldova and Pridnestrovie after 1992, this requirement is not feasible: such citizens are automatically considered citizens of the Republic of Moldova;

D) to improve the content of the right term "compatriots". This can serve as a basis for applying the simplified procedure for obtaining citizenship. Knowledge of the Russian language on the basis of documents on higher and secondary education, which is recognized in Russia as equivalent to Russian, can also serve as an additional factor for the simplified procedure for obtaining citizenship.

Russian citizens living outside of Russia have other problems. For example, it is difficult to spend the funds of the "Mother's Capital" outside the Russian Federation, even if it is planned to spend it on the goals set by law (improving housing conditions, educating children, etc.). In this regard, Pridnestrovian parliamentarians prepared amendments to the federal law "On Additional Measures of State Support for Families with Children", which presuppose the possibility of the "Mother Capital" funds fulfillment on the territory of Pridnestrovie.

There is hope that these amendments will be studied and taken into account by the deputies of the State Duma in the process of their legislative activity.