Eritrea: Whether an Ethiopian born in Addis Ababa in 1978 whose mother was also born in Addis Ababa in 1954, whose maternal grandfather was born in Eritrea and who has currently some distant relatives in Eritrea can apply for Eritrean nationality; what the procedures are for obtaining Eritrean citizenship for such a person
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 15 October 2004 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | ERT43036.E |
| Reference | 2 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Eritrea: Whether an Ethiopian born in Addis Ababa in 1978 whose mother was also born in Addis Ababa in 1954, whose maternal grandfather was born in Eritrea and who has currently some distant relatives in Eritrea can apply for Eritrean nationality; what the procedures are for obtaining Eritrean citizenship for such a person, 15 October 2004, ERT43036.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/42df60e319.html [accessed 3 June 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 correspondence to the Research Directorate, the head of consular Affairs of the office of the embassy of Eritrea in Ottawa indicated that an Ethiopian born in Addis Ababa in 1978 whose maternal grandfather was born in Eritrea can apply for Eritrean Citizenship (13 Oct. 2004). This corroborates information provided in 2003 by the United Kingdom's Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) which, citing a source, states that "[b]asically if your parents or grandparents were born in Eritrea you will certainly be entitled to Eritrean nationality but will have to prove this" (29 Apr. 2003).
In order to apply for Eritrean citizenship, such a person will have to get "the testimony of three Eritreans" (Office of the embassy of Eritrea 13 Oct. 2004). For more information on procedures, please, consult ERT43035.E of 15 October 2004.
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.
References
Office of the embassy of Eritrea, Ottawa. 13 October 2004. Correspondence from the head of consular affairs.
United Kingdom. 29 April 2003. Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND), Home Office. Report of Fact-Finding Mission to Eritrea.
