The Non-Resident Nepalese Association (NRNA) has expressed serious concerns about certain proposals in the draft constitution that they say will strip them [NRNs] of their constitutional and political rights. They say that the draft treats people with permanent residencies in other countries are seen as the same as those holding citizenships there.

 

The association has objected to the Article 285 of the draft constitution which states that an NRN can regain political and constitutional rights three months after renouncing their citizenship of the other country.

 

"A person can get political or constitutional nomination or appointment, or get elected to an office three months after renouncing their citizenship from their other country," the article states.

 

Asking political parties to amend the article, Bhawan Bhatta, the vice-president of the association, says the article has not only stripped them their rights but is also against international laws. He says the Nepali diaspora who hold Permanent Residency (PR) cards in countries are being treated as having citizenship of that country. These people are still Nepali citizens, he says. "Every country has its own rule," Bhatta told Republica, adding that a PR permit is not citizenship of that country.

 

"If one is treated unequally due to holding a PR card, it will be natural injustice as these NRNs will not have any constitutional or political rights in the country they are living and Nepal has also curtailed their constitutional and political rights here."

 

The article has treats those with PR status and those with citizenship of other countries as the same, he explains.

 

The association also submitted a memorandum regarding the issue to the Constituent Assembly (CA) chair Subhash Nembang last week.

 

Since NRNs have huge global exposure as well as various skills, knowledge and experience, the government should utilize them for nation-building, he says, adding that restricting them will fuel more brain-drain.

 

Bhatta says he has also suggested to the government that it take advantage of the cream brain of NRNs and exploit them as a 'brain-gain'.