The Icelandic government is set to discuss soon citizenship revocation for those who commit serious offences, thanks to a bill submitted by five members of the Independence Party.
According to local media reports, the proposal to amend the Icelandic Citizenship Act also aims to revoke citizenship for those who provide false information to the Immigration Service, Schengen.News reports.
However, individuals who are affected by potential citizenship revocation will not lose their Icelandic passport if they risk becoming stateless.
This proposal follows reports that criminality rates in Iceland have been on the rise in the last few years while the country has been internationally known for its peaceful environment.
Criminal activity has become entrenched in society, and criminal groups linked to certain ethnic groups from the Middle East and Southeast Europe operate here. Organized crime threatens the security of Icelandic society and those who live here. The activity thrives on the drug market and includes, among other things, people smuggling and human trafficking.
5 Political Party Members Push for Citizenship Revocation
The proposal is being submitted by five Icelandic politicians from the Independence Party, such as Diljá Mist Einarsdóttir, Vilhjálmur Árnason, Bryndís Haraldsdóttir, Jón Gunnarsson, Guðlaugur Þór Þórðarson.
The politicians propose that those who have obtained citizenship may lose their passports if they provide false information at the Directorate of Immigration, but, as mentioned above, they will not lose their citizenship if they risk becoming stateless.
In addition, those who had obtained citizenship could lose their Iceland passport if they are found guilty of crimes that entail 16 years of imprisonment.
The Commissioner of National Police may, in a reasoned opinion, propose to the Minister that he be deprived of citizenship if it can be assumed that the public is threatened by his continued presence in this country and it can be expected that his criminal record will continue.
Other EU countries are also considering similar measures, especially Nordic and Scandinavian countries. The Finnish authorities have submitted a proposal to tighten rules for citizenship candidates, especially paying more attention to the criminal records of candidates.
The main reason why a candidate’s criminal record plays a crucial role is due to concerns that these countries have for national security.
