KATHMANDU: National Assembly (NA) Vice-Chair Bimala Ghimire has stressed the need for the prompt passage of the bill to amend the Citizenship Act, 2063.
Speaking at an interaction program on the Citizenship Bill organized by the Forum for Women, Law and Development (FWLD) in Kathmandu today, Ghimire said the bill should move forward with necessary amendments to ensure it aligns with constitutional provisions.
She also urged National Assembly members to actively engage in discussions on the bill.
Ghimire, however, called for sensitivity to linguistic precision, noting that even minor legal wording—such as the use of “and” versus “or”—can lead to serious confusion in matters as sensitive as citizenship.
FWLD Director, Advocate Sabin Shrestha, also urged National Assembly members to pass the bill without delay. He recommended removing the provision that penalizes individuals for self-declaration and emphasized the importance of ensuring accountability and transparency in the development of citizenship laws.
The bill, which includes a provision to grant citizenship through the mother’s name, has reached the National Assembly after being passed by the House of Representatives.
Comment