‘Registering birth in Lisbon isn’t acquiring citizenship’

Panaji: The Union ministry for law and justice, in its opinion to the ministry of home affairs (MHA), said that mere registration of birth by a Goan in Portugal does not amount to acquiring Portuguese citizenship.Further, it recommended to the MHA, that it, (MHA), should obtain an affidavit from Goans who have registered their birth in Portugal that they wish to continue to retain their Indian citizenship and do not intend to renounce it. The law ministry has also made it clear that Goans who hold Portuguese passports will not be considered Indian citizens.A three-member high-level committee, appointed to deliberate on Goa’s dual citizenship issue and headed by additional secretary (home) B K Prasad, has to take a decision on the recommendations of the law ministry and the decision should be conveyed to the state government, a senior government official told TOI.The Union home ministry last week held a high-level meeting in Delhi to discuss Goa's dual citizenship issue. During the meeting, it was also discussed how children have registered their parents births in Portugal without their parents knowledge to get him/her Portuguese passport.Earlier, the Union law ministry had advised the MHA that the country’s Citizenship Act be amended to grant one-time amnesty to those Goans who have registered their births in Portugal, which was not accepted by the MHA.The dual citizenship issue has seen several FIRs filed against persons, including politicians and police personnel.Children of those born before Goa’s Liberation and with their births registered in Portugal are also eligible to register their births in Portugal and to obtain citizenship or a 'bilhete de identidade' considered as good as citizenship.Many Goans use the bilhete to travel across Europe as it makes the Schengen visa redundant. Many have also sought employment in Europe on the basis of the bilhete.Government statistics show that around 40,000 Goans have registered their births in Portugal, but, do not have a Portuguese passport or a 'bilhete de identidade'.