Citizenship issue
I refer to the letter on this topic of 19 October. There are many confusing legal and practical interpretations of 'Bangladesh dual nationality' . However, from my own experience I have learnt the following.
If a person has arrived in Europe or North America after the emergence of Bangladesh with a Bangladeshi passport and citizenship and then became a national of a state therein, his/her Bangladesh citizenship backed up by his/her Bangladesh documentation to this effect remains in force, unless, say, the passport and documentations are not returned by the foreign authorities or they have cut it up to show cancellation, ( which is quite a normal practice).
If citizenship documents are so cancelled or not returned, then the person although legally entitled to Bangladesh citizenship must apply for fresh documents on the strength of his/her entitlement. The necessity for such application does not mean that his de jure dual citizenship rights are not recognised in Bangladesh law; it is a necessary de facto step to obtain proof of such right.
On the other hand, if his/her old citizenship documents of Bangladesh are returned by the foreign authorities after granting their citizenship in un-mutilated conditions, such documents continue to be valid under Bangladesh law, however passports or travel documents ( which include Visa stampings) etc would need to be revalidated on expiry by proper application to Bangladesh authorities in due time. Otherwise, such documents will lose validity and will be tantamount to cancellation, and when trying to renew them after a long gap may require fresh application to confirm citizenship etc.
This is a practical measure and does not reflect on the legal requirements for Bangladesh citizenship or its loss.
Many Bangladeshi citizens with their families (I was one) arrived in Europe and North America with Pakistani passport and identity before the establishment of Bangladesh and all such persons must apply for Bangladesh citizenship and then for Bangladeshi passports or other travel documents which include a 'No Visa Required' stamp on foreign passports from a Bangladesh Embassy, and keep renewing them when necessary by paying the requisite fees. Non-renewal over a long time or loss of Bangladesh documents may require fresh application for its reissue.
The legal position must not be confused with practicalities for its implementation.
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