Report on Citizenship Law: Ethiopia 6.2. Modes of loss of Ethiopian citizenship The Proclamation provides that deprivation of Ethiopian nationality is not permitted. Therefore, Ethiopian nationality can only be lost on the basis of voluntary renunciation or, in a procedure the law deems to be voluntary, on acquisition of another nationality. Dual nationality is not permitted. Loss on acquisition of another nationality In line with the intentions of the UDHR, Ethiopia recognises the right of individuals to change nationality and specifies that “any national has the right to change his Ethiopian nationality” (Article 16).46 The loss of Ethiopian nationality on the acquisition of another nationality is considered voluntary renunciation of Ethiopian nationality: “… any Ethiopian who voluntarily acquires another nationality shall be deemed to have voluntarily renounced his Ethiopian nationality” (Article 20 (1)). Article 20 (4) provides that “A person who retains another nationality in addition to Ethiopian nationality shall be considered solely an Ethiopian national until the loss of his Ethiopian nationality pursuant to Sub-Articles (2) or (3) of this Article.” One inbuilt caveat of the law is that the loss of Ethiopian nationality does not have implications for spouses and/or children: “a person’s loss of Ethiopian nationality shall have no effect on the nationality of his spouses and children” (Article 21). Renunciation Article 19 (1) states that “any Ethiopian who has acquired or has been guaranteed the acquisition of the nationality of another state shall have the right to renounce his Ethiopian nationality.” This article tells us that renunciation has to be operational after securing another nationality. The Ethiopian law provides additional safeguarding conditions on renouncing Ethiopian nationality. Article 19 (4) a & b states that: An Ethiopian who has declared his intension to renounce his nationality may not be released until: a) he has discharged his outstanding national obligations; b) if he has been accused of or convicted of a crime, he has been acquitted or served the penalty. No involuntary deprivation Ethiopian Law embodies strong protection against involuntary deprivation of citizenship. This is constitutionally recognised. Article 33 (1) of the FDRE Constitution provides that “no Ethiopian national shall be deprived of his/her Ethiopian nationality against his/her will.” This statement should be read in conjunction with Article 17 of the nationality proclamation: “No Ethiopian may be deprived of his nationality by the decision of any government authority unless he loses his Ethiopian nationality under article 19 or 20 of this proclamation.” One can conclude that the Ethiopian law has no room for involuntary deprivation of citizenship. This is 46 Article 16 of Proclamation 378/2003. RSCAS/GLOBALCIT-CR 2020/9 - © 2020 Author(s) 17