“The bill attempts to bring a provision whereby a foreign woman after marrying a Nepali man can acquire Nepali citizenship as per the law if she gives up her citizenship.”

South Asia Check found that the issue raised by Chairman Thapa is already addressed by the constitution, therefore further amendment is not needed.

Article 11(6) of the Constitution of Nepal, 2015 mentions that “a foreign woman who has a matrimonial relationship with a citizen of Nepal may, if she so wishes, acquire the naturalized citizenship of Nepal as provided for in the Federal law.”

The amendment bill tabled in parliament intends to change this provision. The amendment bill has proposed to replace Article 11(6) of the constitution with the following phrase, “a foreign woman who has a matrimonial relationship with a citizen of Nepal may, if she so wishes, acquire the naturalized citizenship of Nepal as provided for in the Federal law after she begins the process to forsake the citizenship of her country.”

Therefore, Thapa’s interpretation of the bill is wrong.

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