On December 14, deputies of the House of Representatives approved a bill that allows Belarusians to be deprived of citizenship by birth.

The project introduces a new ground for the loss of citizenship - "in connection with the existence of a judgment of the court of the Republic of Belarus, which has entered into force, confirming the participation of a person in extremist activities or causing severe damage to the interests of the Republic of Belarus, if such a person is outside the country."

We put together advice on what to do if this happened together with Ales Mikhalevich, a lawyer, an expert in international law, and a former candidate for the presidency in the 2010 elections.

What should be done

So far, no one has been deprived of citizenship in Belarus.

Lawyer Ales Mikhalevich advises to obtain a residence permit in a European country even before the deprivation of citizenship.

"If you were deprived of your citizenship, then you have evidence that you are being persecuted.

After all, those found guilty of "extremism" will be stripped of their citizenship.

You need to apply for refugee status in the country where you are.

If you are in a non-democratic country, you should move to the first democratic one," advises Ales Mikhalevich.

When submitting documents for flight, it is important to attach a court decision on recognition as an extremist and wait for a decision on granting international protection.

This procedure can take six months to a year.

"If you admit that you are not a citizen of Belarus, you can write that you are a stateless person in all questionnaires.

But I wouldn't admit it, because Lukashenka didn't give me citizenship and he won't take it away," says Ales Mikhalevich.

After receiving refugee status and international protection, a person receives, in addition to a residence permit, a document with which he can travel.

While a person is waiting for a decision on the status of international protection, it is not possible to leave the country of submission of documents.

What problems can arise

According to Ales Mikhalevich, a person who has been deprived of citizenship may have problems with obtaining a visa to Canada, the USA, Great Britain, and Australia.

However, there will be advantages:

"For example, there will be no need to leave the Belarusian citizenship if a person receives the citizenship of another country that prohibits dual citizenship.

There will be no need to solve any problems related to Belarus," says Ales Mikhalevich.

Also, there will be no problem with extending the Belarusian passport, the term of which has expired.

Ales Mikhalevich remembers similar cases when a person was deprived of citizenship if he had only one citizenship only in the USSR and fascist Germany.

"In Belarus, Pavel Charamet was stripped of his citizenship, but then Belarus proved that he had Russian citizenship and worked in the public service in Russia.

The materials of this case were classified," recalls Ales Mikhalevich.

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SAFE