 People discuss the nationality law Chitpaseuth, 23, a resident of Dongnaxok village, said: "I think that our nationality law is very good because they tell us who should be allowed to become Lao nationals. At present many people come to stay in Laos. When they stay a long time they want to live in Laos forever. I think that these people must know the Lao language and Lao culture. In addition they must not break Lao laws. If people want Lao nationality they must abide by Lao laws." Mr Phou, 30, a resident in Vientiane, said: "The nationality law is good because it tells us our rights. Some people want to change their nationality to that of other countries, while some foreigners want to take the Lao nationality. Some want to be Lao but don't meet the criteria for nationality. For example, if someone was born in Laos, but their parents do not have Lao nationality, they should not be entitled to Lao nationality. But to be Lao they have to live in Laos and mix with Lao people and understand Lao tradition and culture. After a time they can change nationality to Lao, if they want. I know families in which the parents have a Vietnamese family registry and their children have a Lao family registry. I think that we have to look at someone carefully first, before we accept them as Lao. We must know why they want to become Laos nationals. For example, some groups of traders that we see around town come to Lao just to earn money. After that they want to change their nationality. Some come because they want to buy a house. So before we accept them, the authorities have to know that they want to help develop our country. So we have to find their real reasons for wanting Lao nationality." Mr Tavan Thoummavong, 18, a resident of Wattay village, said: "I think that before we give a person Lao nationality we have to know if that person came to Laos for the advantage or disadvantage of the country. Did they come to Laos to trade, for their business, or for other reasons? People, who want to work for the Lao nation, like experts or people who have special knowledge or training and work for some organisation. They want to work for the Lao people, for the development of themselves and Laos. I think that these people should be allowed to become Lao if they want. I think the authorities should approve of these people, because they will increase our human resources and skills. A resident in Vientiane, said: "My relatives, who live in an other country, want to be Lao. However it is not easy because they don't know Lao culture, and they can't speak Lao clearly. In addition, running the documents to change nationality is not easy. Before somebody is accepted they have to know many things about the country that they want to live in. They have to know the society in Laos, the culture, and the law. I think that it is good for the management of society." Ms May 19, a resident of Vientiane said: "I don't know much about the law. I think it is not enough for them to be able to speak and write Lao. Because writing, reading and speaking is not too difficult. If they try to practice hard, they can speak or write fluently. I think that there should be other criteria to decide if they should be Lao, not just language." Mr Keomany, a resident of Vientiane said: "I don't think that becoming Lao is too difficult because right now I have Lao nationality. However, my parents still have Thai nationality. It depends on whether you want to be Lao or not. You have to earn money honestly and don't do anything that conflicts with country's laws. When you want to be Lao, you have to run the documents, step by step, from the village to the National Assembly. If your document is exactly right you can get Lao nationality. Many people want to get Lao nationality because they live in Laos and they want their children to attend Lao schools. If they don't change their nationality it is very difficult for them to get into a Lao school. And they can't buy land or a house, so it is very difficult to live. If they have Lao nationality they can buy every thing in their own name." |
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