Russia/Ukraine: Whether Russia and Ukraine have entered into an agreement providing for dual citizenship; whether possession of a Russian Federation Seaman's Book with the nationality noted as "Russian" confirms Russian citizenship and any implications this may have for Ukrainian citizenship
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 February 1999 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | ZZZ30979.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Russia/Ukraine: Whether Russia and Ukraine have entered into an agreement providing for dual citizenship; whether possession of a Russian Federation Seaman's Book with the nationality noted as "Russian" confirms Russian citizenship and any implications this may have for Ukrainian citizenship, 1 February 1999, ZZZ30979.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6abeab.html [accessed 21 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. |
According to the Second Secretary of the Consular Division at the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Ottawa, Russia and Ukraine have not entered into an agreement providing for dual citizenship (29 Jan. 1999).
Information on the relevance of the notation of nationality in a Seaman's Book is scarce among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. The International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention Concerning Seafarer's National Identity Documents (No. 108 of 1958), Article 4, states that:
3. The seafarer's identity document shall include the following particulars concerning the bearer:
(a) full name (first and last names where applicable);
(b) date and place of birth;
(c) nationality;
(d) physical characteristics;
(e) photograph; and
(f) signature or, if bearer is unable to sign, a thumbprint.
4. If a Member issues a seafarer's identity document to a foreign seafarer it shall not be necessary to include any statement as to his nationality, nor shall any such statement be conclusive proof of his nationality.
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. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted.
References
Embassy of the Russian Federation. 29 January 1999. Faxed correspondence from Second Secretary, Consular Division.
International Labour Organization (ILO). 1958. Convention Concerning Seafarer's National Identity Documents. (No. 108 of 1958).
Additional Sources Consulted
Immigration and Nationality: Law and Practice [London]. 1992 - 1998.
International Organization for Migration (IOM). 1996. Legislative Acts of the CIS and the Baltic States on Citizenship, Migration and Related Matters. Moscow: IOM.
Travel Information Manual. [Hoofddorp, The Netherlands]. 1999.
Three oral sources did not respond within the applicable deadline.
Electronic sources: IRB Databases, Internet, LEXIS/NEXIS, REFWORLD, WNC.
