Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07RABAT220
2007-02-05 18:55:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Rabat
Cable title:
THE NATIONALITY CODE IS AMENDED
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UNCLAS RABAT 000220
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/MAG, DRL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM CVIS KFEM MO
SUBJECT: THE NATIONALITY CODE IS AMENDED
UNCLAS RABAT 000220
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/MAG, DRL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM CVIS KFEM MO
SUBJECT: THE NATIONALITY CODE IS AMENDED
1. This cable is sensitive but unclassified; please protect
accordingly.
2. (SBU) In an action hailed by concerned Moroccans as a
step towards democracy and equality, parliament passed an
amendment to the Nationality Code allowing women married to
non-Moroccan men to pass Moroccan citizenship to their
children on February 1. The Moroccan women's marriages must
have been contracted in accordance with the 2004 Family Law,
article 146. The mother must declare to the Ministry of
Justice that the child will have Moroccan citizenship.
Children whose fathers are from countries where dual
nationality is not permitted will be able to choose their
nationality when they reach the age of 18. The king has
reportedly signed the law, which only needs publication to
enter into force.
3. (SBU) The 1958 Nationality Code had made it difficult for
children of mixed nationalities to receive state grants for
university and fully participate in Moroccan society as their
residency permits had to be renewed on a regular basis. Some
are children of fathers from other Arab countries; others are
from a growing number of Moroccans married in Europe.
Moroccan citizenship is difficult to obtain. Press reports
indicated that only 1,646 non-Moroccans had received
citizenship since 1965. Currently, the Ministry of Justice
is reviewing 500 new applications for citizenship.
4. (SBU) Comment: In July 2005, King Mohammed VI, during
his Throne Day speech, made it clear he was in favor of
Moroccan citizenship passing to children through their
mothers as well as their fathers. Moroccan press reports
have given the king full credit for this initiative and
applaud his efforts. The passage of this bill is a major
reform and is one for which parliamentarians and members of
civil society organizations have been lobbying for several
years. Some Moroccans hail the bill as a major step forward
in gender equality. End Comment.
******************************************
Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website;
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat
******************************************
Riley
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/MAG, DRL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM CVIS KFEM MO
SUBJECT: THE NATIONALITY CODE IS AMENDED
1. This cable is sensitive but unclassified; please protect
accordingly.
2. (SBU) In an action hailed by concerned Moroccans as a
step towards democracy and equality, parliament passed an
amendment to the Nationality Code allowing women married to
non-Moroccan men to pass Moroccan citizenship to their
children on February 1. The Moroccan women's marriages must
have been contracted in accordance with the 2004 Family Law,
article 146. The mother must declare to the Ministry of
Justice that the child will have Moroccan citizenship.
Children whose fathers are from countries where dual
nationality is not permitted will be able to choose their
nationality when they reach the age of 18. The king has
reportedly signed the law, which only needs publication to
enter into force.
3. (SBU) The 1958 Nationality Code had made it difficult for
children of mixed nationalities to receive state grants for
university and fully participate in Moroccan society as their
residency permits had to be renewed on a regular basis. Some
are children of fathers from other Arab countries; others are
from a growing number of Moroccans married in Europe.
Moroccan citizenship is difficult to obtain. Press reports
indicated that only 1,646 non-Moroccans had received
citizenship since 1965. Currently, the Ministry of Justice
is reviewing 500 new applications for citizenship.
4. (SBU) Comment: In July 2005, King Mohammed VI, during
his Throne Day speech, made it clear he was in favor of
Moroccan citizenship passing to children through their
mothers as well as their fathers. Moroccan press reports
have given the king full credit for this initiative and
applaud his efforts. The passage of this bill is a major
reform and is one for which parliamentarians and members of
civil society organizations have been lobbying for several
years. Some Moroccans hail the bill as a major step forward
in gender equality. End Comment.
******************************************
Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website;
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat
******************************************
Riley