The Latvian Ministry of the Interior has formally advised the Saeima that existing national laws and international conventions prohibit the revocation of citizenship from individuals who would be rendered stateless. This response follows parliamentary debates earlier this spring regarding whether to strip citizenship from journalist and former politician Andrei Mamykins, who has relocated to Moscow.
Legal constraints on citizenship revocation
According to the Ministry of the Interior, current legislation does not permit the removal of citizenship if the person holds no other nationality. While the law allows for the revocation of citizenship from naturalized citizens for violating their oath, the process currently lacks a legal mechanism to reinstate “non-citizen” status. A non-citizen in Latvia is defined by a specific legal status distinct from that of a stateless person, and no current provision allows a former citizen to transition into this category.
.jpg/440px-Flickr_-_Saeima_-_4.maijs_Saeim%C4%81_(6).jpg "Legal constraints on citizenship revocation")
Did You Know? Latvian law distinguishes between the status of a “non-citizen” and a “stateless person,” with the former being a unique legal designation for certain individuals who were residents of the former USSR.
Future legislative possibilities
The Ministry has suggested that if the Saeima wishes to pursue this issue, it must first determine if there is sufficient political support to introduce an “institution of denaturalization.” Should such support emerge, the government would need to draft amendments to both the Law on Citizenship and the Law on the Status of Citizens of the Former USSR who do not have citizenship of Latvia or another state. Any such legislative discussion is expected to be deferred to the next Saeima.
Expert Insight: The Ministry’s response highlights the tension between political initiatives and the rigid framework of international law. By pointing toward the need for new legislative institutions, the government is effectively signaling that current tools are insufficient for the specific goal of stripping citizenship from individuals who lack dual nationality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the issue of revoking citizenship raised?
The Saeima’s commission on citizenship, migration, and social cohesion initiated the discussion earlier this spring following debates regarding Andrei Mamykins, a former politician who moved to Moscow.
Can Latvia currently make a citizen stateless?
No. The Ministry of the Interior stated that current Latvian legislation and international conventions prohibit the revocation of citizenship if it results in the person becoming stateless.
What would be required to change this?
Legislators would need to establish an “institution of denaturalization” and amend both the Law on Citizenship and the laws regarding the status of former USSR citizens.
How should a state balance the requirements of international law with national political objectives regarding citizenship?
