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Rwanda: Status of a person born in Rwanda in 1970 of a Rwandan mother and whose father is a citizen of Tanzania

During a 18 June 2002 telephone interview, the First Secretary of the Embassy of Rwanda in Washington D.C. stated that birth on Rwandan territory does not confer Rwandan citizenship. Only a person whose father is a Rwandan citizen or both parents are of Rwandan origin, is entitled to Rwandan citizenship.

However, birth on Rwandan territory and living there for a long time may be considered as an asset to obtain permanent resident status (ibid.).

A Professor of Law and Politics, with a particular emphasis on Sub-Saharan Africa, at the University of Antwerp in Belgium, who is also chairman of the Centre for the Study of the Great Lakes Region of Central Africa, provided the following information during a 19 June 2002 telephone interview.

Referring to the "Code de la nationalité rwandaise," only a child whose (1) father or (2) both parents are of Rwandan origin or (3) whose mother is a Rwandan citizen and her/his father's origin is unknown is entitled to Rwandan citizenship.

However, a person whose mother is of Rwandan origin while his/her father is of foreign origin can opt for Rwandan citizenship when he/she is between 18 and 21 years old. The person must live three consecutive years in Rwanda before exercising this option (ibid.).

Citing the same "Code de la nationalité rwandaise," the professor of Law and Politics also explained that birth on Rwandan territory does not confer Rwandan citizenship.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

References

Embassy of the Republic of Rwanda, Washington D.C. 18 June 2002. Telephone interview with the First Secretary.

Professor of Law and Politics, University of Antwerp, Belgium. 19 June 2002. Telephone interview.