Yugoslavia: Information on whether an ethnic Serb holding a new Serbian passport issued in Belgrade would be subject to deportation from Serbia to Croatia if the individual was born or resided in Croatia prior to independence
| Publisher | Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 April 1994 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | YUG17255.E |
| Cite as | Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Yugoslavia: Information on whether an ethnic Serb holding a new Serbian passport issued in Belgrade would be subject to deportation from Serbia to Croatia if the individual was born or resided in Croatia prior to independence, 1 April 1994, YUG17255.E, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ac1b48.html [accessed 26 May 2013] |
| 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. |
A representative of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) in Ottawa provided the following information during a 21 April 1994 telephone interview. Before the break-up of the former Yugoslavia, individuals held both Yugoslavian citizenship and nationality of one of the republics. Since 27 April 1992, however, only nationals of Montenegro and Serbia can obtain citizenship from the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
A representative of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in Washington also indicated that citizenship of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was granted to individuals born in Serbia or Montenegro (21 Apr. 1994). He indicated that ethnic Serbs born outside Serbia or Montenegro holding a passport from the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia may apply for citizenship in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (ibid.). The representative further stated that currently it is not possible to apply for citizenship from outside the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia because Yugoslav embassies cannot yet issue nationality papers, although they can provide passport renewal services (ibid.).
A representative of the Canadian Embassy in Belgrade indicated that it is not possible for ethnic Serbs born outside Serbia or Montenegro to obtain citizenship from the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (22 Apr. 1994). He indicated that since the break-up of Yugoslavia, most republics have enacted new citizenship laws (ibid.). In the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, the successor state of the former Yugoslavia, the citizenship law of the former Yugoslavia is still applicable (ibid.). The Canadian representative stated that individuals may apply to obtain citizenship, but their file usually remains inactive (ibid.). The Canadian representative also indicated that ethnic Serb applicants are often encouraged to leave the Federal Republic and return to their country of origin or move elsewhere (ibid.).
This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB 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.
References
Canadian Embassy, Belgrade. 22 April 1994. Telephone interview with representative.
Embassy of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Ottawa. 21 April 1994. Telephone interview with representative.
Embassy of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Washington, DC. 21 April 1994. Telephone interview with representative.
