Written evidence on the Citizenship and Passport Processes in Northern Ireland
Published:
February 25, 2021
Policy Area(s):Immigration
Keywords:Brexit, Citizenship, Peace Process
The NI Affairs Committee has launched an inquiry into the ‘Citizenship and Passport Processes in Northern Ireland’, and is seeking written evidence on the following three questions:
- The interaction between UK nationality law and Articles 1 (v) and (vi) of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, and any engagement with the ECHR;
- Whether the Government should consider implementing changes to citizenship rules and requirements to better incorporate the birthright commitments of the Agreement into UK law;
- Whether the Government should allow Northern Ireland residents born in the Republic of Ireland to apply for a British passport given that Northern Ireland residents can currently apply for an Irish passport.
CAJ has responded to the call for evidence with a detailed submission, in which we stress that the GFA binds both the UK and Ireland to recognise the birthright of “the people of Northern Ireland … to identify themselves and be accepted as Irish or British, or both, as they may so choose”.
We have a significant body of work on these issues, and were involved in supporting the DeSouza case. Since 2016, we have been examining the implications of Brexit, including how it will impact upon citizenship in NI.
Our submission to the NI Affairs Committee is available here.