Public awareness event held in Gabala which is included in the service area of Shaki Regional Migration Department

Public awareness event on eradication of statelessness, rules on use of foreign labour force, fight against illegal migration was held in Gabala with the participation of foreigners and stateless persons, country citizens, relevant state agencies, employers, representatives of entrepreneurs.

At the event detailed information was given on issues related with state policy implemented in migration field, management and regulation of migration processes in our country. Discussions were held on activity directions of State Migration Service which has been surrounded with attention and care of President Ilham Aliyev. In accordance with Decree of the President of Azerbaijan dated from March 6, 2008 participation of State Migration Service in citizenship issues have been ensured and since that period the Service have started to investigate queries received from persons and various organizations regarding acquisition, restoration, revocation  of Azerbaijani citizenship, as well as establishment of country citizenship. Moreover, relevant measures are regularly taken by State Migration Service in order to eradicate statelessness, to identify stateless persons and provide them with documents and the measures are yielding efficient results. Dual citizenship issues were discussed as well.     It was brought into attention that Article 10 of the Law “On citizenship of the Republic of Azerbaijan” envisages that in case citizen of the Republic of Azerbaijan has double citizenship (bears citizenship of another state (or states) alongside with the citizenship of the Republic of Azerbaijan) the affiliation of an Azerbaijani citizen to citizenship of a foreign state shall not be recognized, except for cases provided by international agreements of the Republic of Azerbaijan, or in cases resolved in accordance with paragraph 32, Article 109 of the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The aforementioned is applied to the citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan who have acquired citizenship of other state since July 01, 2014.

Citizen of the Republic of Azerbaijan who adopted citizenship of a foreign state should give written information about this to State Migration Service in case he/she is on the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan or to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs if abroad. Sample of the relevant application form was placed on the official website of the Service (www.migration.gov.az ).

Persons who have not provided such information bear responsibility envisaged by the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan and are charged with fine in the amount of three thousand up to five thousand manats or with public works from three hundred sixty up to four hundred eighty hours.

It was also mentioned that according to Article 18 of the Law “On citizenship of the Republic of Azerbaijan” voluntary acquisition of citizenship of other state by the citizen of the Republic of Azerbaijan can be considered a ground for losing citizenship of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

At the event it was stated that ASAN service centers which is a brand of Azerbaijan render services for receiving and responding queries on establishment of citizenship of the Republic of Azerbaijan by State Migration Service. 

Measures taken by State Migration Service for elimination of illegal migration were also discussed at the meeting.

It was underlined that the migration record of foreigners and stateless persons residing and temporarily staying, as well as possessing work permit to carry out work permit in the Republic of Azerbaijan is kept via Unified Migration Information System of State Migration Service and it allows having full picture of dynamics of migration processes occurring in the country.

Detailed information was given on the activity of Appeal Council of State Migration Service established in order to ensure transparency and objectivity in the field of reviewing complaints of physical and legal persons engaged in entrepreneurship activity, to protect the rights and legally protected interests of persons in this sphere as well.   

Requirements of Administrative Offences Code which entered into force on March 1 were explained to the participants.

At the end questions were answered.

Participants expressed their gratitude for organization of the event.