Guidelines 'needed' for Citizenship Law

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Mon, 09/18/2006 7:53 AM

JAKARTA: Experts and officials are to address a seminar this week aimed at speeding up the implementation of the newly passed Citizenship Law that allows children born from transnational marriages to have dual citizenship.

The forum is expected to ""contribute and push for credible guidelines and a government regulation on citizenship"", said a press statement from Suria Nataadmadja & Associates, a law firm that is co-sponsoring the event.

It added that the absence of such guidelines for legal purposes would be an obstacle in the law's implementation.

The seminar will take place Wednesday at Gran Mahakam Hotel with speakers including Justice and Human Rights Minister Hamid Awaluddin, and Foreign Ministry Director of Law and International Agreements Fahmi Pasaribu.

Sudhar Indopa from the Jakarta administration's population service and civil registration will speak on procedures and problems in producing important documents such as birth and marriage certificates.

The seminar is also expected to help resolve the problems of transnational couples and their children who have until now faced legal uncertainty. --JP

Copyright © 2008 The Jakarta Post - PT Bina Media Tenggara. All Rights Reserved.