A/HRC/10/34
page 7
Finland
21. The Government of Finland stated that, under section 5 (1) of its Constitution, children
born in Finland acquire citizenship at birth and through the citizenship of their parents.
Section 5 (2) indicates that persons cannot be divested or released from their Finnish citizenship
except on grounds determined by the law and only if they are in possession of or will be granted
the citizenship of another State. Chapter 5 of the Nationality Act details the conditions under
which persons may lose their Finnish citizenship, inter alia, as an effect of annulment of
paternity or if they provided false information.
22. The Government stated that the purpose of the Finnish Nationality Act is to regulate the
acquisition and loss of Finnish citizenship taking into account the interests of individuals and the
State alike, to prevent and reduce statelessness and to observe and promote the principles of
good governance and legal protection when processing and making decisions on matters of
citizenship. According to the Finnish Nationality Act, the provisions on the loss of and release
from citizenship must not be applied if, as a consequence, a person becomes stateless.
Georgia
23. The Government of Georgia stated that, according to article 13 of the Constitution of
Georgia, persons shall not be arbitrarily deprived of their citizenship. Article 2 of the Organic
Law of Georgia on Citizenship of Georgia contains a similar provision. Article 32 of the Law
regulates the loss of Georgian citizenship. According to this provision, persons shall lose their
Georgian citizenship if they enter into the military service, the police, judicial bodies, or
government institutions of a foreign State without permission of the competent bodies of
Georgia; permanently reside on the territory of another State and have not been registered with
the Georgian consulate without adequate justification during two years; acquire Georgian
citizenship on the basis of false documents; and accept citizenship of another State. According to
article 29 (a) of the Organic Law of Georgia on Citizenship of Georgia, Georgian citizenship is
to be restored for persons whose citizenship has been terminated as a result of an illegal
deprivation of citizenship.
Greece
24. The Government of Greece stated that article 17 of the Hellenic Nationality Code
enumerates the conditions under which the Greek authorities may deprive persons of their
nationality. The commitment of serious offenses constitutes the main reason for deprivation of
Greek citizenship. Deprivation of nationality is permissible, inter alia, if Greek citizens
undertake public duties in a foreign country, which violates the principle of loyalty to their
native country; and if persons have committed acts for the benefit of a foreign country which
contravene the national interests of Greece. Prior to the issuance of the revocation decision by
the Minister of Home Affairs, the Nationality Council should give its consent. The revocation of
nationality applies individually and does not affect the nationality of the person’s spouse and
children.