Cuba passes law to revoke citizenship of government opponents

The law approved on July 19 also revokes the nationality of any non-resident citizen who engages in “acts contrary to the high political, economic, and social interests” of the country.

Citizens inside Cuba are not affected by this law except under serious reasons where the citizenship of government opponents needs to be revoked.

Cuban lawmakers also approved the Foreigners Law to regulate foreign citizens on the island and the Migration Law which allows authorities to ban the entry of any persons whose entry into Cuba is likely to threaten the security and peace of the country.

These persons include individuals or groups related to “hostile actions against the political, economic, and social foundations of the Cuban State” or for “reasons of defense and national security,” local news platform Confidencial reports.

The Migration Law also allows authorities to stop anyone considered a priority worker for the State from leaving the country for reasons of defense and national security to ensure the security and protection of official information or the public interest of the country.

The law is expected to take effect 180 days after it is formalised by the National Assembly. The President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez will have the right to implement the law.

Meanwhile, concerns have been raised by human rights defenders and organisations about the Citizenship Law, citing Nicaragua’s example.

The government of Nicaragua more than 300 political opponents of their citizenship in February this year. An appeals court justice announced the revocation of the citizenship of 94 persons following an earlier situation where the citizenship of 222 people were revoked and they were sent to the United States.

Other details of the law

The new law also establishes that Cuban citizenship is acquired by birth on the island and through naturalization for foreigners.

It also indicates that one does not lose their Cuban citizenship if they acquire a foreign citizenship.

Under the law, children of Cuban parents born on the island who have renounced, lost, or were deprived of Cuban citizenship, can also apply for citizenship when they reach adulthood.