Kuwaiti authorities rescind the nationality of thirteen individuals.
Kuwait Strips 13 of Citizenship under Wide-Ranging Nationality Law
The Kuwaiti newspaper, Alyawm, has published a supplement, listing the names of 13 individuals whose citizenship have been revoked, according to a decision made by the Supreme Nationality Investigation Committee. The revocation was executed under the Kuwaiti Nationality Law, specifically Article 11 of Amiri Decree No. 15 of 1959.
This law states that a Kuwaiti citizen forfeits their nationality if they voluntarily acquire a foreign nationality. However, recent amendments to the law have allowed for mass citizenship revocation, with over 42,000 Kuwaitis losing their nationality since September 2024 [1]. The authority to revoke citizenship for perceived threats to "national unity" or "state security" might indirectly encompass cases of dual citizenship [1][3].
The law also specifies that a Kuwaiti wife does not lose her nationality unless she adopts her husband's nationality. But the nationality of minor children is at risk for being lost if they adopt their father's new nationality as per the regulations governing those nationalities. These children have the option to retain Kuwaiti nationality by notifying the Minister of Interior within two years after reaching adulthood [2].
In addition to these requirements, it's worth noting that the government now demands genetic fingerprinting and biometric data for citizenship matters, creating an indirect potential for revocation if an individual fails to comply with these mandates [3]. Furthermore, those who lose their Kuwaiti citizenship often face statelessness, as they may lack alternative citizenship [4]. This troubling circumstance suggests that Kuwaiti law may not require confirming another nationality before revocation–a practice criticized by Human Rights Watch [4].
These changes in the Kuwaiti Nationality Law seem to disproportionately affect mixed-marriage families and dissenters [4]. Individuals acquiring foreign citizenship through non-Kuwaiti spouses may face heightened scrutiny under Article 8's restrictive provisions [4]. To fully understand the technical conditions and implications, it's essential to consult the law itself, but the current enforcement tactics emphasize national security over individual rights [1][4]. It seems that dual citizenship, while not directly targeted, may be indirectly under threat by the expanded revocation powers
- The Kuwaiti government, in a move influenced by the Nationality Law, has revoked the citizenship of 13 individuals, as published in the Kuwaiti newspaper, Alyawm.
- Under the Kuwaiti Nationality Law, a person forfeits their citizenship if they voluntarily acquire a foreign nationality, but recent amendments allow for mass revocation, such as the case of over 42,000 Kuwaitis since September 2024.
- A Kuwaiti wife does not lose her nationality unless she adopts her husband's nationality, but the nationality of minor children is at risk if they adopt their father's new nationality, as per the regulations governing those nationalities.
- Those who lose their Kuwaiti citizenship may face statelessness, as they may lack alternative citizenship, a practice criticized by Human Rights Watch, particularly in the context of mixed-marriage families and dissenters.
