Spain's Lower House Approves Citizenship for Western Saharans Born Under Colonial Rule
Spain's lower house of parliament has approved a bill to grant Spanish nationality to Sahrawis born in Western Sahara before September 29, 1977, and their first-degree descendants. This date marks the formal end of Spain's presence in the territory. The legislation, which passed with 168 votes in favor, 31 against, and 145 abstentions, is seen by supporters as an effort to rectify a decades-old injustice. Estimates suggest that between 70,000 and 200,000 Sahrawis could be eligible for Spanish citizenship under this new law. The bill allows for naturalization without a prior legal residence requirement in Spain, and applications will be free of charge, with authorities mandated to resolve them within a year. Applicants can prove eligibility using various documents, including old Spanish identity cards, UN-authenticated census receipts for the never-held independence referendum, birth certificates, or paperwork issued by the colonial administration. Softer evidence like school records, pension documents, and...
