Transnational couples wishing to give dual citizenships for their children have only one year left to apply, an organization said Wednesday.
Perca Indonesia, an organization of Indonesian transnational families, said if the couples missed the July 31, 2010, deadline, as stipulated in the 2006 Citizenship Law, they would miss the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of being an Indonesian citizen.
The law orders children of mixed couples born before 2006 to apply for dual citizenship within four years since its enactment.
Perca's chairwoman, Rulita Anggraini, expressed her concern over a lack of information on the law, leaving only one year to apply for dual citizenships for the children.
"Many transnational couples are still oblivious to the law," Rulita said, adding each application usually took three to six months to process.
She added that although no exact data could tell how many children of mixed-nationality marriages were out there, she believed the number was huge.
Director general for state administrative affairs at the Justice and Human Rights Ministry, Aidir Amin Daud, said the number of children of transnational marriages in Indonesia could reach 20,000.
"That excludes those living in other countries," he said.
Rulita cited the deliberation of the law as revolutionary but urged the societies at large to help raise awareness on the rights of transnational couples and their children.
Children of mixed marriages missing the deadline could still apply for Indonesian citizenship although it would require a naturalization process. The children are required to reside continuously for five years in Indonesia or 10 years if their residence was not continuous.
The children must also renounce the citizenships they currently hold.
The law also stipulates that a child of a mixed-nationality marriage born after the law is enacted is automatically given dual citizenships until they reach the age of 18 years old.
The child will then be given three years to decide which nationality he or she wishes to retain. (adh)
