|
| |
Germany and Central Europe: Citizenship Across
Borders
The coalition partners in Germany’s federal government appear
divided on the issue of citizenship and immigration. Chancellor Schröder’s
declaration that the country could take no more immigrants was criticised by Green
politicians. The new government stated that it would not support claims by Sudeten Germans
against the Czech government. The Czech Republic is considering dual nationality for
Czechs abroad. The Hungarian government addressed Hungarians in Romania and Vojvodina.
The question of immigration and dual citizenship for foreigners
continues to divide the coalition partners in the new German federal government (see Traces
#3 for background on the debate). The SPD Interior Minister Otto Schilly called for
restricting immigration. His remarks were supported by Chancellor Schröder, who stated
that Germany had reached its limit of immigration. Schilly stressed that the new
government’s aim was to integrate foreigners already resident in the country rather
than increase the number of dual nationals.
The aliens’ commissioner and Green party politician, Marieluise
Beck, declared that Germany would need more immigrants. Beck noted that Germany had the
lowest birthrate in Western Europe and an ageing population. She stated that foreigners
made a net contribution of $60 billion a year to the economy, vital to support
Germany’s pension and social security demands. By 2010 the country will need 400,000
immigrants a year to redress the effects of demographic ageing.
Germany receives around 300,000 immigrants a year, over half the total
for the EU. Foreigners account for around 10% of the population, some 7.37 million. But,
mindful of the possibility of a right wing backlash, Schilly said: "The threshold of
Germany's capacity to accept more immigrants has already been passed, … future quotas
for foreigners must be set at zero.''
On a different matter of citizenship, the new German government
announced that it would not be pursuing the claims of Sudeten Germans against the Czech
Republic, although it did consider their expulsion an injustice. Two and a half million
Sudeten Germans were expelled from the then Czechoslovakia after World War Two, losing
their property. The decrees of expulsion, named after then Czechoslovak president Edvard
Benes, have never been revoked. The Union of Expellees (UdV) is demanding restitution for
lost property. The UdV, which has close links with Bavaria’s Christian Social Union
state government, wants to make the issue part of the negotiations for the Czech
Republic’s entry to the European Union.
The Sudeten Germans have received support from the Freedom Party of
Austria, which called upon the Austrian government to block the Czech Republic’s
membership application to the EU. It drew comparisons with Italy’s obstruction of
Slovenia’s membership because of the outstanding claims of Italians deported from
Slovenia at the end of the war. The FPO’s call was backed by the regional premier of
Upper Austria, speaking in Linz. The Austrian Foreign Minister, Wolfgang Schuessel, stated
that the issue was a bilateral one for Germany and the Czech Republic and should not be
introduced into discussions of EU membership.
The Czech government announced that it was considering dual citizenship
for former citizens of Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic (Traces #2 for
previous story). One problem concerns Czechs who remained in the Slovak Republic after the
separation of Czechoslovakia in 1993 and, by becoming Slovak citizens, thereby lost their
Czech citizenship. This affects as many as 60,000 Czechs. Slovaks remaining in the Czech
Republic, thought to number 300,000, would also be eligible for dual citizenship. Another
question relates to Czechs who emigrated abroad after 1968; Czech-Americans have long
agitated for dual citizenship.
The raising of the issue of Sudeten Germans in the context of EU
enlargement has parallels with the status of Hungarians in Romania (Traces #2 and
#3). The Chairman of the far right-wing Hungarian Justice and Life Party, Istvan Csurka,
declared that Romania’s Hungarian minority should not be sacrificed in the quest for
EU membership. He was speaking on Hungarian television. Csurka demands that the Hungarian
government pursue a more hardline attitude towards Romania, even though this might
complicate accession to the EU.
Officials of the Hungarian government met with representatives of the
Democratic Community of Vojvodina Hungarians and the Hungarian Democratic Party of
Vojvodina in Budapest in October. The two parties have been urged to unite by the Chairman
of the Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians in order to protect their interests within Serbia
and maintain their political links with Hungary itself. The Hungarian minority fears that
Serbia’s leaders would like to expel them and seize their property. (Vojvodina is a
province in northern Serbia. Like Kosovo, its autonomous status was revoked in 1990.
Around 17% of population are ethnic Hungarians.)
German Social Democrats, Greens disagree over immigration policy, the
German news agency ddpADN on BBC monitoring international reports 15.11.98; Chancellor
Schroeder says Germany has reached limit on immigration, Michael Adler Agence France
Presse English Wire 20.11.98; Immigrants on the verge of becoming German citizens, William
Drozdiak Miami Herald 11.12.98; Germany not to support Sudeten Germans' property
claims-Verheugen, Czech News Agency 5.12.98; CSU's Union of Expellees claims right to
homeland, Czech News Agency 21.11.98; Austria should defend Sudeten German interests
– FPO, Czech News Agency 7.10.98; Upper Austria local government for abolition of
Benes decrees, Czech News Agency 1.12.98; Government considering dual citizenship for
Czechs abroad, Czech news Agency 5.11.98; Czech citizens in Slovakia seeking dual
citizenship, Czech News Agency 9.11.98; Czechs, Slovaks can have dual citizenship from end
of year - Czech minister, Slovak news agency TASR on BBC monitoring international reports
16.11.98; Certain injustice being done in question of citizenship – Vondra, Czech
News Agency 29.12.98; Hungarian far-right party: foreign policy sacrifices ethnic
Hungarians for EU, Hungarian Duna TV on BBC monitoring international reports 12.11.98;
Hungary official urges Vojvodina Hungarian parties to unite, Hungarian news agency MTI on
BBC monitoring international reports 14.10.98
 Contents
Chilean Exiles React to Pinochet’s
Arrest
The arrest in Britain of General Augusto Pinochet, the former dictator
of Chile, sparked protests and legal proceedings across the world. Chilean exile groups in
eleven countries prepared legal action against him. Similar actions were taken against
Castro and Duvalier by Cuban and Haitian exiles respectively.
The arrest on October 16th was made following an application
for extradition by a Spanish magistrate, Baltasar Garzon. Pinochet had been visiting
Britain for medical treatment. The charges included the murder of Spanish nationals
between 1973 and 1990, as well as torture, conspiracy and kidnapping. Similar suits were
filed by Chilean exiles in Britain with the backing of human rights organisations, Amnesty
International, Redress Trust and the Medical Foundation for the Victims of Torture.
Chileans in Sweden, France, Switzerland, Italy, Belgium, Norway, Denmark and Germany also
initiated legal actions related to the death or disappearance of family members. By
December, France, Switzerland and Belgium had filed formal requests for extradition.
The New Zealand government was approached by Chilean exiles but
declined to request an extradition. There were also protests against Pinochet in Montreal
and Toronto by exiles resident in Canada. (There are estimated to be at least 7,000
Chilean exiles in Toronto.) In London and Madrid, protestors held regular rallies
denouncing Pinochet. In Chile’s capital, Santiago, the General’s supporters and
opponents demonstrated frequently outside the British and Spanish embassies and in the
streets.
It is calculated that during Pinochet’s regime over 3,000 people
were either killed or disappeared, and between 30,000 and 52,000 Chileans went into exile
around the world.
The UK’s highest court, the House of Lords, initially ruled that
General Pinochet could face extradition proceedings in Britain and did not enjoy
diplomatic immunity. This ruling was subsequently overturned on December 17th
when it became clear that one of the five law lords charged with making the decision had
undisclosed links with Amnesty International. The General’s status was therefore
uncertain by the end of December.
Pinochet’s arrest sparked similar demands from other exile groups
to bring political leaders to trial. The Foundation for Human Rights in Cuba, based in
Miami, requested the Spanish prosecutor in charge of Pinochet’s case to demand the
extradition of Fidel Castro on charged of genocide, terrorism and torture. Fidel’s
brother Raul, the defence minister, the minister for tourism and the Cuban ambassador to
the UN were also included in the exiles’ charges. A Haitian resident in France
announced that he would file against Jean-Claude Duvalier, the former and exiled dictator
of Haiti. Duvalier has lived in exile in France since his overthrow in 1986. The move to
try Duvalier apparently has the backing of the current Haitian government.
New Zealand unlikely to take action against Pinochet, Agence France
Presse English Wire 26.10.98; Demands for Pinochet trial spread through Europe, Agence
France Presse English Wire 3.11.98; Spain leads field of four in Pinochet extradition
campaign, Agence France Presse English Wire 9.12.98; Pinochet foes stage protest:
Demonstrators at Chilean consulate call for ex-dictator to face justice, Darren Becker
Montreal Gazette 1.11.98; We want justice, say Chilean exiles in Toronto 'He must be held
responsible for the crimes he committed', Kerry Gillespie Toronto Star 18.10.98; Cuban
exiles demand Pinochet-style arrest warrant for Castro, Roland de Courson Agence France
Presse English Wire 6.11.98; Legal fight begins to bring Baby Doc to trial, Shelley
Emling, Cox News Service and Edmonton Journal 18.12.98
Contents
Emigrants Aid Countries Devastated by
Hurricanes
The destruction caused by Hurricane Mitch in Central America and
Hurricane Georges in the Caribbean was followed by massive relief efforts by US-based
emigrants. The US government announced it would suspend deportations of Central Americans
in recognition of the severity of the disaster.
The Dominican Republic was devastated by Hurricane Georges in
September. As many as 250 were killed and 110,000 made homeless. Relief in the form of
donations of money and supplies poured in from Dominicans in the USA. Aid from family and
friends abroad provided a vital addition to, or substitute for, official humanitarian
assistance. A convoy of 1,500 cars took food, clothing and medicine to New York’s
Kennedy Airport. Wire agencies in New York reported a massive upsurge in money being sent
to the country, mostly in small amounts of a few hundred dollars.
There are estimated to be 1.3 million Dominicans in the USA, including
a million in New York alone. New Jersey, Boston and Miami are other major centres. In 1997
the Republic received $1.5 billion in remittances from the US. This sum is equivalent to
the earnings from tourism and manufacturing exports.
In November Hurricane Mitch struck Central America, one of the most
destructive storms in living memory. Initial estimates suggested that 10,000 died and as
many as 2 million were made homeless. Honduras and Nicaragua were the worst hit, while El
Salvador and Guatemala were also struck. In the US, some commentators feared that the
damage was so severe that it would trigger another mass migration northwards, comparable
in size to the refugee departures arising from the region’s civil wars in the 1980s.
Central American communities in California responded with aid in the
form of money, food and supplies. Around 400,000 Central Americans live in southern
California in 1990, according to official figures. This includes 250,000 Salvadorans,
127,000 Guatemalans, 34,000 Nicaraguans and 23,000 Hondurans in Los Angeles County alone.
Including illegal immigrants however, the number now may be more than a million.
Salvadorans from the region send $1.2 billion in remittances a year alone.
The loss of so much of the region’s communications, including
telephones, left many relatives abroad without news of their families. The US press
reported that added anguish arose from not being able to return home to search for
relatives for fear of not being able to re-enter the country. Even so, the Honduran consul
general in Los Angeles reported a 40% increase in application for travel documents. El
Rescate in Los Angeles, the Central American refugees organisation, encouraged emigrants
to work and send money. Wire agencies in Los Angeles reported surges in business with
money being sent home. The newspapers reported that people were sending food and clothing
instead of toys and gifts at Christmas.
In recognition of the extent of the destruction and loss of life in the
region, the US government announced that it would suspend deportations of people back to
Honduras and Nicaragua. It judged that the hurricane’s effects had been the most
severe in these countries. The 18-month moratorium affects 150,000 people working
illegally in the USA or staying under temporary visas. They would receive temporary
protection status, which has also been granted to residents of Montserrat in the wake of
the island’s volcanic eruptions. The reprieve must, however, be applied for.
Applicants will be expected to pay a fee and provide fingerprints. Immigrants from El
Salvador and Guatemala were not included in the scheme, but the Immigration and
Naturalization Service declared that it would not be carrying out any deportations until
March.
Dominican expatriates a vital lifeline for hurricane victims, Jared
Kotler Associated Press 30.9.98; Dominicans in U.S. help homeland, Miami Herald 1.10.98;
The emigrants rally round, The Economist 10.10.98; Storm Could Trigger Another Diaspora,
Carlos A. Rosales Los Angeles Times 8.11.98; In Mitch's Wake, Worry and Help, Hugo Martin
Los Angeles Times 14.11.98; Migrants in U.S. Do Without to Help Families Hit by Mitch, Lee
Romney Los Angeles Times 23.12.98; Honduras, Nicaragua Deportations Delayed, Joe Mozingo
Los Angeles Times 31.12.87
Contents
Dual Citizenship for Overseas Indians Considered
The Indian Prime Minister announced new regulations affecting Indians
abroad in order to encourage the diaspora to invest in the country. India’s domestic
industry raised objections to the possibility of dual citizenship.
In advance of legislation granting Indians abroad dual citizenship, the
Indian government announced a Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) card scheme. The cards will
provide visa-free entry and a number of educational and financial benefits over such
things as property and income earned on dividends. The scheme would also enable overseas
Indians to cut through much of the country’s tangle of regulations.
Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee launched the card scheme while addressing
the Global Indian Entrepreneurs Conference in New Delhi. The issue was also raised by the
Union Urban Affairs Minister, Ram Jethmalani, at the 18th International
Conference of Non Resident Indians in the same city in December. Vajpayee noted that
Indians abroad had contributed over $12 billion a year in remittances for the past two
years. The Resurgent Bond Issue alone raised $4.2 billion in a matter of weeks (see Traces
#3). Members of the diaspora had been calling for dual nationality for a number of years.
The Prime Minister also announced in November that a dual nationality
policy would be implemented early in 1999. He also called on Non-Resident Indians (NRI) to
invest in India’s new highway network, while Jethmalani asked for assistance in the
country’s low-cost housing sector.
These moves are regarded as part of a concerted effort by the BJP
government to restore and strengthen links with Non-Resident Indians – objectives
which were part of their election manifesto. They envisage not just economic links,
following the success of China in tapping the overseas Chinese, but also enhancing
‘social, cultural, emotional and spiritual’ ties. They may involve reviving the
NRI Consultative Committee under the chairmanship of the Minister of Finance, Yashwant
Sinha. There may be modifications in investment rules and regulations, as well as more
involvement of NRI entrepreneurs in advisory positions close to government. Some overseas
figures have suggested that NRIs should be nominated to India’s Upper House of
parliament.
Opposition to the proposals for dual nationality has come from Indian
industry, concerned about the threat of foreign competition if NRI investors are allowed
greater access to India’s markets. Among the suspicions directed towards NRIs is the
question of their divided loyalty, and whether dual nationality gives too many benefits to
residents abroad. Spokesmen for Indian industry question whether the desirability of
opening up investment opportunities also requires granting citizenship.
Indian PM launches PIO card scheme to woo Indians abroad, Asia Pulse
12.11.98; PM Vajpayee assures dual nationality, benefits to expat Indians, Agence France
Presse 12.11.98; New Delhi pledges greater emphasis on NRIs, Anand Sagar Gulf News
13.11.98; Industry upset over 'dual citizenship', V. Jayanth The Hindu 16.11.98; Tapping
the Indian diaspora, The Hindu 23.12.98; 'Govt. considering dual citizenship for NRIs',
The Hindu 26.12.98; Private transfers Spectacular turnaround, Harish Damodaran Business
Line 9.11.98
Contents
| |
|
