We do not, and cannot discriminate on basis of nationality – PM
Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves told the media last week that there is no discrimination when it comes to persons applying for Vincentian citizenship.
The Prime Minister, speaking at a press briefing at Cabinet room on January 7,refuted a United States{{more}} Treasury Department publication that listed one Hossein Zeidi, an Iranian, as a Vincentian citizen.
He, however, said that the Constitution of St Vincent and the Grenadines does not allow for persons to be refused citizenship because of sex, race, ethnic group, political opinions, colour or creed.
âWe do not, and cannot discriminate on the basis of nationality or place of origin in the grant or withholding of the passport; thatâs not a policy decision, thatâs a constitutional requirement,â Gonsalves said.
âIf an application for an Iranian comes before me for citizenship, and all the due diligence and everything is there, I have to apply my mind against the backdrop of the citizenship law and fundamentally the Constitution of St Vincent and the Grenadines. I canât look at it and say âIranian, no.ââ
He said some Vincentians seem to buy into frenzy when Iranians are mentioned.
He said that this hysteria pertaining to persons of Iranian nationality, as well as nationals from other regional and international backgrounds needs to stop.
âItâs as though they gone off because Iran and the United States have had some problemsâ¦. But you donât tar every citizen of a country because of the complexion of the government or the disagreement, which some people may have. You (going to) have bad people from whichever part of the world you live or come from. So we have to get this thing out of our headsâ¦.
âI know a Vincentian who is in love with an Iranian woman; they are either married or getting married shortly. Suppose she decides to apply for citizenshipâ¦.
ââ¦.Sometimes I get a feeling that there are some people, who as soon as you are a Jamaican or a Guyanese, they just believe that you come here to do something unlawful or to take advantage of the country.
âI say that has to come out of our head. We must have no prejudices based on grounds of nationalityâ¦
âBecause a lot of ordinary people would have these âprejudicesâ you will hear them say âthat Jamaican, you think them Jamaican easy, or them Guyanese all them want to is so on and so on. But I canât have that prejudice and discrimination in my headâ¦. I have to follow the law,â the Prime Minister said.
Gonsalves, who indicated that he oversees all applications for citizenship, may approve any application as long as all documents are completed, and due diligence is performed.(JJ)
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