This book asks how the original concept of a “right to citizenship (nationality)” has to be further developed with respect to the current context of migration and corresponding steps to Europeanise migrations policies as well as national citizenship laws, especially for home-grown migrants (second and subsequent generations). Background parameters are: the changing nature of nation-states and international law, especially in the context of the EU and emerging new meanings of human rights.

The analysis starts from the status of stateless people, especially children. Then it tries to establish the next two steps: (1) the right to be naturalised in the country of residence and (2) toleration of dual nationality. The book argues that dual nationality should be accepted at least until the 3rd or 4th generation. After the 5th generation, the migrants have to proof sufficient connections to the old home country to keep the other citizenship. A generational acceptance of dual nationality seems to be an appropriate approach for all parties involved. The idea to reduce cases of dual nationality makes sense in the long run, but it should be the law of the country of origin that cuts the connection with the diaspora. More important is that it shouldn’t any longer be an argument for the countries of residence to block migrants’ access to their citizenship – in some cases across generations – even if most of them fulfil all the requirements, except the renunciation of their previous citizenship, which is mostly due to emotional reasons rather than rational interests. Social as well psychological evidence supports the norm of “acceptance of the others” (Habermas) and a society that welcomes newcomers.

Publication details and link to source: Sükrü Uslucan, ‘Zur Weiterentwicklungsfähigkeit des Menschenrechts auf Staatsangehörigkeit: Deutet sich in Europa ein migrationsbedingtes Recht auf Staatsangehörigkeit an – auch unter Hinnahme der Mehrstaatigkeit?’, Duncker & Humblot Verlag, ‘Berlin, 2012.