Liberian nationality law

Republic of Liberia

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The Republic of Liberia was founded by free African slaves from america who formed the American Colonization Society and returned to establish a republic on African soil. Nationality law is based on its first constitutions enacted in 1847 and revised in 1955 and 1984. Its citizenship laws have been widely accused of being explicitly racist. The first constitution allowed for women to transmute their nationality to their children, although multiple citizenship was not permitted nor is it permitted in revisions of the constitution.

Liberia is also one of the relatively few remaining countries in the world conferring nationality solely on the basis of race. Under the Liberian constitution, only persons of black African origins may obtain citizenship (although Liberian law allows members of other races to hold permanent residency status). Within Liberia itself, the wider implications of the policy are part of a heated debate in which native Liberians themselves have acknowledged that non-African permanent residents are crucial contributors to the country's economic activities and innovation system, mainly the wealthy and affluent Lebanese community.^{[citation needed]}

Features of the first constitution that have been upheld include:

• Article V, Section 13 of the 1847 Constitution which states: "The great object of forming these Colonies, being to provide a home for the dispersed and oppressed children of Africa, and to regenerate and enlighten this benighted continent, none but persons of colour shall be eligible to citizenship in this Republic." The phrasing "persons of colour" was changed to "Negroes or persons of Negro descent" in a 1955 revision.

The Liberian legislature was charged with establishing criteria for naturalization. All applicants must be black Africans to be naturalized.

See also

• American Colonization Society
• citizenship
• Liberia
• multiple citizenship
• nationality law

External links

• BBC News: 'Lebanese demand Liberia poll rights'
• On Race, Citizenship, and Property in Liberia: A Sociologist’s Point of View by Konia T. Kolllehlon from Trinity Washington University, March 19, 2008

References

• Embassy of Liberia, Washington, D.C.: Consular Section
• Liberian Constitution