Azerbaijan: Whether people born in the 1960's in the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic have a right to Azerbaijani citizenship (under Article 11 of The Law of the Azerbaijan Republic - On Citizenship of the Azerbaijan Republic) if they have lived outside of Azerbaijan since the 1960's
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa |
| Publication Date | 5 May 2009 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | AZE103093.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Azerbaijan: Whether people born in the 1960's in the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic have a right to Azerbaijani citizenship (under Article 11 of The Law of the Azerbaijan Republic - On Citizenship of the Azerbaijan Republic) if they have lived outside of Azerbaijan since the 1960's, 5 May 2009, AZE103093.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4a7040ad32.html [accessed 18 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. |
In 29 March 2009 correspondence, the Consul of the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Ottawa stated that people who left Azerbaijan (Soviet Republic) and have not returned and registered as citizens [of independent Azerbaijan], are not considered citizens of Azerbaijan (Azerbaijan 29 Mar. 2009). In further correspondence, the Consul stated that based on Azerbaijani laws, people born in Azerbaijan since 1991, and people who were living in Azerbaijan [the Soviet Socialist Republic] until 1992, as well as those who have at least one parent who is an Azerbaijani citizen, are citizens of the independent Azerbaijan Republic (Azerbaijan 21 Apr. 2009). People can apply for Azerbaijani citizenship or its restoration by submitting specific documents, which include a certificate attesting to the holder's knowledge of the Azerbaijani language and a registration document indicating residence in Azerbaijan for at least five years (Azerbaijan 31 Mar. 2009).
An unofficial translation of the 30 September 1998 Law of the Azerbaijan Republic – On Citizenship of the Azerbaijan Republic states the following:
Article 11. Grounds for acquisition of the citizenship of the Azerbaijan Republic
A person shall obtain the citizenship of the Azerbaijan Republic in the following cases:
1) by birth in the territory of the Azerbaijan Republic or being born by a citizen of the Azerbaijan Republic;
2) by admission to the citizenship of the Azerbaijan Republic;
3) by grounds foreseen under the international treaties of the Azerbaijan Republic;
4) by other grounds foreseen under this Law. (Azerbaijan 30 Sept. 1998)
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 for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Azerbaijan. 21 April 2009. Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan (Ottawa). Correspondence from the Consul.
_____. 31 March 2009. Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan (Ottawa). Correspondence from the Consul.
_____. 29 March 2009. Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan (Ottawa). Correspondence from the Consul.
_____. 30 September 1998. The Law of the Azerbaijan Republic On Citizenship of the Azerbaijan Republic.
Additional Sources Consulted
Internet sites, including: Amnesty International (AI), Azerbaijan International Magazine, British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), European Country of Origin Information Network (ecoi.net), Human Rights Watch (HRW), International Organization for Migration (IOM), Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
