GSD seeks Govt briefing on ‘far-reaching’ changes to Gibraltarian Status law that must be ‘carefully considered’ 

The GSD said proposed changes to the law governing who can acquire Gibraltarian status would have a “practical and emotional” impact that must be carefully considered, as it urged the Gibraltar Government not to fast-track the Bill through Parliament without a chance for prior scrutiny.  

The Leader of the Opposition, Keith Azopardi, wrote to Chief Minister Fabian Picardo requesting a detailed briefing on the Bill published last week. 

Mr Picardo replied acknowledging the GSD’s “unusually constructive spirit” and telling Mr Azopardi he would arrange the requested briefing, while adding the Government had already considered carefully many of the issues raised by the Opposition.  

In his letter, the GSD Leader highlighted the need to better understand the statistical and financial basis for the proposals, as well as the underlying concerns prompting them. 

“This law is about sense of identity,” Mr Azopardi said.  

 “The Statute has been in place for over 60 years. What entitles someone to be called a Gibraltarian under the law is an emotive subject.” 

“It is not only of practical importance but emotionally so for many people who feel that, whilst they are not presently in Gibraltar, they have never lost contact with what they consider to be their ancestral home and to which their children or grandchildren should be able to return.” 

“It is equally important for those who have been here many years, made Gibraltar their family home, contributed to society and rightly regard themselves as, in practice, Gibraltarian.” 

“The sense of being Gibraltarian is therefore as much emotional and existential as it is practical.” 

Mr Azopardi said the proposed law would have far-reaching effects by changing both the mandatory entitlement and discretionary eligibility criteria for Gibraltarian Status.  

In particular, he raised concern over a proposed increase to the residency requirement from 10 to 20 years. 

“We are concerned about the impact of some of these changes and that there has, so far, been little by way of detailed statistical explanation for these proposals,” he said. 

“Clearly if there are abuses there should be administrative powers to ensure systems are not abused.” 

“But all this needs to be better understood and I have, today, written to the Chief Minister seeking a briefing so we can obtain information that would then allow us to fully consider our policy position ahead of the debate on the Bill in Parliament.” 

In his response to Mr Azopardi, the Chief Minister said the Government had already carefully considered many of the issues raised by the Leader of the Opposition. 

He said Mr Azopardi was right to note that the issues at stake were both “practically, financially and emotionally significant” for many in the community, adding it was essential that the debate reflected that depth.  

Mr Picardo said his office would contact Mr Azopardi to arrange a meeting and provide him with a detailed briefing.  

“I will be glad to meet with the Leader of the Opposition, given his unusually constructive tone, to discuss in detail the issues he has raised in his letter, in a spirit of mutual respect and working together in the best interests of Gibraltar and the Gibraltarian public we both serve,” Mr Picardo said.