For some people, the meaning of the term "compatriots" is simple and straightforward. They are residents of one state. However, the term "compatriots" has not only a broader meaning, but also a very specific legal status.
Instructions
Step 1
Persons with such a status as "compatriot" have the right to count on the help of their state, even if they do not live in it and do not have its citizenship. Since, according to the legislation of a number of countries, including Russia, compatriots are not only people living in one state, but also those who have moved to a temporary place of residence in another state. Moreover, even persons who permanently live in another country and have adopted its citizenship fall under the definition of "compatriots" if they are loyal to their former homeland and feel a spiritual and cultural connection with it. In the same way, the descendants of these people, that is, the heirs, can be considered compatriots.
Step 2
The legal status of such people is detailed in the federal law "On the state policy of the Russian Federation in relation to compatriots abroad." This document gives the following definition of the term "compatriots". According to this legislative act, compatriots are people who were born in one country, live or have lived in it and have signs of a common language, religion, cultural heritage, traditions and customs, as well as descendants of these persons.
Step 3
The legislative act also describes in detail the concept of "compatriots abroad", which includes citizens of the Russian Federation permanently residing outside its borders, as well as people who have citizenship of other states, but retain spiritual and cultural ties with Russia. Among these persons there can be both representatives of peoples who have historically permanently resided in the territory of Russia, and representatives of other peoples who have consciously made a choice in favor of spiritual and cultural ties with Russia. However, in the latter case, in order to be considered compatriots, such persons must have relatives in the ascendant who previously resided in the territory of the Russian Federation (or the USSR, or the Russian Empire).
Step 4
Some Russian politicians have repeatedly come out with the initiative to grant all compatriots who have citizenship of other states the right to visa-free entry to the Russian Federation. In their opinion, such a step would help strengthen the ties of our homeland with foreign diasporas and would facilitate the repatriation of persons wishing to return to Russia. However, these proposals have not yet taken the form of a law.