LITHUANIAN
QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF ARTS
AND SCIENCES
|
ISSN
0024-5089
Copyright © 2018 LITUANUS Foundation, Inc. |
Volume
64,
No.3 - Fall 2018
Editor of this issue:Almantas Samalavičius |
Abstract:
In Pursuit of Dual Citizenship for Lithuanian Emigrants: Causes and Effects of Its Resentment
Jurita Gonta
Abstract
Globalization, collapse of the Soviet Union, refugee crises, and
the European Union enlargement have been the dominant causes
of increased migration. While many countries in the world
are relaxing their citizenship laws to comply with the challenges
presented by increased migration, Lithuania continues to arm
itself with legal and political barriers to restrict legalization of
dual citizenship.
This paper focuses on the existence and development of very strict dual citizenship laws in Lithuania and their effect on the country and its emigrants. It aims at uncovering the biggest obstacles to relaxing dual citizenship regulations. This study reveals many benefits of dual citizenship and balances them against the dangers dual citizenship may create. It also examines the citizenship regulations of the countries Lithuanians are mainly emigrating to. This paper argues that the resistance to dual citizenship does not benefit the country and Lithuanians living abroad, falls behind the global citizenship trend, and threatens the survival of the country. The goal of this paper is to amplify the ongoing debate pertaining to the restrictive dual citizenship regulations in Lithuania and to provide solutions to the existing stagnant situation.
While it is true that the number of people leaving Lithuania
is increasing every year, the laws of the Republic of Lithuania
remain very restrictive towards dual citizenship, which does not
serve the interests of Lithuanians, both home and away, falls
behind international citizenship tendencies, and threatens the
survival of the country due to high emigration rates.