Since the announcement by the British Home Office that it is now willing to give full British citizenship to the members of ethnic minorities, there have been numerous reports in this newspaper regarding 'uncertainties' within the ethnic minorities. I am sceptical. Clearly, the granting of British citizenship should be only to those bona-fide people who hold either the BDTC and/or BNO and no other passport, permanent residency or travel document. The uncertainties remain in those who also hold another passport, or permanent residency, who wish to find a loophole or be opportunists in getting British passports. These people are deceiving their home country's authorities (be it Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, etc) by taking up BDTC/BNO passport and not informing their missions that they are now the citizens of another country. They should have immediately returned their original passports (as the home country does not allow dual citizenship). And those who did not are now in the dilemma of 'uncertainties'. Surely, the British authorities should liaise with the missions to ensure they are exchanging the passports to bona-fide people. As for children born of parents under whom they can obtain home country citizenship, clearly the parents know that obtaining the passport (BDTC/BNO) may render the child stateless. These people should withdraw their claim for full British citizenship, and facilitate those who are clearly in need of it. I trust the British authorities will implement a policy that is fair and transparent. The impetus should be on the person exchanging the passport to prove he does not have any other passport and/or permanent residency (for example, green-card holders). NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED
