Rules become stricter in Kuwait, citizenship of thousands of people canceled, new law increases concern

New Delhi: The Kuwait government has made major changes in the rules related to citizenship and implemented amendments in the Citizenship Act of 1959. After these changes, citizenship of thousands of people in the country has been cancelled. The government says that the purpose of the new provisions is to make the citizenship process more transparent and controlled.

Rules are stricter than before

Under Amiri Decree No. 15, published in the official gazette Al-Kuwait Al-Youm, the conditions for obtaining citizenship have been made much stricter than before. According to the new rules, a person who acquires Kuwaiti citizenship will have to give up his citizenship of any other country within three months. According to the available data, after the implementation of these amendments, the citizenship of 2,182 people has been revoked so far.

The government has also expanded the grounds for revoking citizenship. If a person gives wrong information during the citizenship application, falsifies documents or is found guilty in matters related to national security, his citizenship can be withdrawn. Additionally, activities that the government deems detrimental to public order or national interests may also give rise to action.

Rules will not be limited to the person concerned

The effect of the new rules will not be limited only to the person concerned. Family members of those whose citizenship has been revoked may also be affected and their Kuwaiti passport may also be cancelled. However, the government has given the affected people an opportunity to appeal within the stipulated time limit.

In the amended law, the status of children of those who acquire citizenship by naturalization has also been changed. Now such children will not be considered Kuwaiti citizens by birth, but will be placed in the category of natural citizens. When they become adults, they will be able to decide about their citizenship.

This action is being considered a part of the comprehensive citizenship reform campaign launched in 2024. According to international media reports, till now citizenship related action has been taken against about 70 thousand people under this campaign.

Citizens in Kuwait receive free health services, unemployment assistance, subsidies on housing facilities and other government benefits. In such a situation, the impact of termination of citizenship is not limited only to legal identity, but also affects social and economic rights. Meanwhile, First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef has also expressed concern over the involvement of some government officials in alleged frauds and violations of rules related to citizenship.