Dominica: Whether claiming refugee status abroad, even if against a third country, results in loss of Dominica citizenship; whether the Economic Citizenship Programme is still in effect, and the rights it confers
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 14 November 2000 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | DMA35929.E |
| Reference | 2 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Dominica: Whether claiming refugee status abroad, even if against a third country, results in loss of Dominica citizenship; whether the Economic Citizenship Programme is still in effect, and the rights it confers, 14 November 2000, DMA35929.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3df4be2a10.html [accessed 31 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
No information on loss of Dominica citizenship due to claiming refugee status abroad against a third country could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. The information that follows adds to that provided in DMA34085.E of 11 April 2000 on the Economic Citizenship Programme. DMA17679.E of 16 June 1994 provides information on the rights of citizens of countries of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, of which the Commonwealth of Dominica is a member, relating to travel and residence.
The International Business Unit (IBU) of Dominica Website states that a "re-engineered" Economic Citizenship Programme was introduced in May 1996 (IBU 23 June 1999). The IBU states that "all holders of Dominican passports are entitled to visa free travel to Commonwealth countries," "citizens of Dominica are required to pay taxes on income earned in Dominica" and "economic citizens (the investor) are allowed to acquire a maximum of one acre of land for private purposes and three acres for business purposes," adding that "any additional land required must be purchased with the approval of government" (ibid.). The source does not indicate any residency obligations for "economic citizens," but states that "holders of economic citizenship must reside permanently in Dominica for five (5) years before they are allowed to vote in general elections" (ibid.).
The IBU Website listed below indicates the procedures and fees required for the processing of an application at the Economic Citizenship Programme, including the payment required upon taking an oath and for obtaining a certificate of naturalization required for the issuing of a passport (ibid.).
A Dominica-based company, International Management & Trust Services Inc. (IMTS), published information on the Economic Citizenship Programme in early 2000, stating that the programme provides "citizenship for life ... for applicant and eligible family members," adding that the programme would provide "dual citizenship ... is permitted and there is no residence requirement" (IMTS 25 Jan. 2000).
Facing criticism from the opposition, the finance minister of Dominica defended the re-engineered programme, saying that it was currently administered by the government, while initially it was "a private arrangement" (The Chronicle 10 Dec. 1999). The Dominica weekly The Chronicle reported that "Dominica's Economic Citizenship programme [came] under severe criticism at home and abroad in recent times, with Washington branding it as a racket that attracted criminals," adding that "concerns reached a new dimension when a number of Chinese landed in Canada last month [November 1999] from Trinidad carrying Dominican passports" (ibid. 24 Dec. 1999).
The Chronicle reports that "the passport scandal resulting from the reengineered citizenship programme was a major issue during the campaign for the January 31 general election" (3 Mar. 2000). The new Prime Minister announced in March 2000 that the government had "taken the necessary action" to stop the "re-engineered citizenship programme" (ibid.). The Chronicle reports that the United States "was first to applaud [Prime Minister Rosie] Douglas' commitment to suspend the programme and subject it to an investigation and possible revision," adding that an agreement had been reached with Canada "to submit a list so that they can make a bold check ... to ensure that people would not come into Canada with criminal backgrounds" (ibid.).
In May 2000 Caribbean & Central America Report stated that
the incoming government of Dominica, led by Rosie Douglas, briefly suspended that country's economic citizenship programme in February, but announced at the end of April that it would be resuming the sale of passports. "Changes have been made to ensure that citizenship does not fall into the hands of criminals," said finance minister Ambrose George (LARR 9 May 2000, 8).
However, April and May 2000 issues of The Chronicle consulted by the Research Directorate contain various references to the "suspended" Economic Citizenship Programme, and no references to its reactivation could be found in subsequent issues of the publication. In its 5 May 2000 edition, The Chronicle refers to the programme, stating that it was "now being reviewed by Prime Minister Rosie Douglas' Administration."
A representative of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) in Ottawa confirmed during a 10 November 2000 telephone interview that the Economic Citizenship Programme was suspended in early 2000. The representative had no information as to the current status of the programme (ibid.).
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
The Chronicle [Roseau]. 3 March 2000. Pete Toulon. "Economic Citizens Update: Canadians Clear Entry by Visa Restriction."
_____. 5 May 2000. "$28M From Economic Citizenship Passports."
_____. 24 December 1999. Emile Lancelot. "Political Merger Against Dominica's Passport Scandal."
_____. 10 December 1999. Emile Lancelot. "Citizenship Stays: Finance Minister Defends Revenue Earning Passport Scheme With It In Its Present Form."
Commonwealth of Dominica, International Business Unit (IBU), Roseau. 23 June 1999. "Economic Citizenship."
International Management & Trust Services Inc. (IMTS), Roseau. 25 January 2000. "Commonwealth of Dominica, West Indies: Economic Citizenship Programme."
Latin American Regional Reports (LARR): Caribbean & Central America [London]. 9 May 2000. "Region: Economic Citizenship."
Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), Ottawa. 10 November 2000. Telephone interview with representative.
Additional Sources Consulted
The Chronicle [Roseau]. Searchable archives, 23 Oct. 1998-10 Nov. 2000.
IRB Databases.
Latin American Regional Reports: Central America & the Caribbean [London]. 1995-2000.
REFWORLD.
Internet Websites and search engines.
Note:
This list is not exhaustive. Subject and region-specific publications available at the Resource Centre are not included.
