I recently came across the story of Noa Argamani, a woman who found herself in a dire situation when she was taken hostage. Noa’s mother, Liora Argamani, a Chinese citizen who renounced her citizenship, made a public appeal to China for help in securing her daughter’s release. However, China refused to intervene, citing Liora’s renunciation of her Chinese citizenship and disclaiming any responsibility.
The refusal of China to assist in the release of Noa raises interesting questions about citizenship, nationality, and the obligations that countries have towards their citizens. In this case, Liora may have renounced her Chinese citizenship, but does that mean that China should not feel any responsibility towards her daughter, Noa, who is of Chinese descent?… Continue reading
As a Ukrainian-American dual citizen, the recent news from the US Embassy in Ukraine hits close to home. The decision that men with dual citizenship will no longer be able to leave the country due to the necessity to register for the draft raises significant concerns and frustrations. The bureaucratic hurdles and absurdities that come with renouncing Ukrainian citizenship are overwhelming. The requirement to register for the draft in a location where I do not reside, coupled with the consulate’s refusal to facilitate the process, puts individuals like myself in a challenging position.
The notion of being unable to freely travel to a country that holds a part of my identity is disheartening.… Continue reading
As a Russian living in Europe, I can’t help but shake my head at the news of a US ballerina with dual citizenship being detained in Russia. The comments circulating about her situation highlight a stark reality – Russia is not a safe place for Americans, especially now. The warnings from the State Department are there for a reason, yet some individuals still choose to ignore them and find themselves in troubling situations.
The idea of reading law books in hopes of finding a way out of a Russian jail is unfortunately futile. The judicial system in Russia is intertwined with the dictatorship, making it nearly impossible to navigate the legal landscape in a fair and just manner.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker