The project provided for the disqualification of any person who committed acts abroad “seriously prejudicial to the interests of the State”.
The text had caused anger and amazement among Algerians living abroad. A bill providing for the forfeiture of the nationality of Algerians in the diaspora has been “withdrawn”, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, the Algerian president announced on Sunday, April 4.
“We have withdrawn the project because of its misinterpretation,” President Abdelmadjid Tebboune said in a television interview. “Dual nationality or multiple nationality is not a crime and we respect that, because supposed to bring a plus to the country of origin of the concerned in a climate marked by nationalism” , specified Mr. Tebboune. “This procedure concerned only the question of the attack on the security of the State which we will defend in one way or another” , he added.
Dual nationality tolerated by the Algerian authorities
This amendment to the nationality code was presented in early March, sparking an outcry as the anti-regime protest movement, the Hirak, supported by much of the vast Algerian diaspora, resumed its weekly demonstrations.
The project provided for the deprivation of their “acquired or original” Algerian nationality from any person abroad committing acts “willfully causing serious prejudice to the interests of the State” or “who” collaborates with an enemy State.
In 2005, Parliament unanimously voted for an ordinance recognizing dual nationality. Although prohibited before 2005, dual nationality was however tolerated by the Algerian authorities, in particular for Franco-Algerian dual nationals.
