Over the past year, Kuwait has witnessed a significant and troubling escalation in the revocation of citizenships, a move that has profound implications for the country’s stability and its adherence to international human rights standards. This development has particularly exacerbated the challenges faced by the Bidoon community, a stateless group that has long faced systemic discrimination and marginalization.
The Surge in Citizenship Revocations
In a span of just six months, Kuwaiti authorities have stripped approximately 42,000 individuals of their citizenship, accounting for about 3% of the nation’s citizenry. This sweeping action has been justified by the government as a measure to address cases of individuals who allegedly obtained citizenship through fraudulent means. However, critics argue that this campaign disproportionately targets naturalized citizens and serves as a diversion from pressing economic challenges. The abruptness and scale of these revocations have sparked public unrest and raised concerns about the deterioration of democratic practices, especially following Emir’s decision to suspend parliamentary activities for up to four years.
Legal Amendments Facilitating Revocations
Further complicating matters, significant amendments to Kuwait’s 1959 Nationality Law were enacted in December 2024. These changes have broadened the government’s authority to revoke citizenship. Notably, the revised Article 13 allows for the denaturalization of “individuals convicted of crimes related to honor, trust, state security, or offenses against religious sanctities or the Emir”. Furthermore, the law now permits revocation in cases deemed by authorities as “infringing on the state’s higher interests or external security”. These amendments have been applied retroactively, raising serious constitutional and human rights concerns.
The Bidoon Community: Perpetual Statelessness
The Bidoon, whose name derives from the Arabic term “bidūn jinsīya” meaning “without nationality,” represent a particularly vulnerable group in this context. Historically, many Bidoon were not granted citizenship during Kuwait’s nation-building period in the mid-20th century, leaving them stateless. Numbering around 106,000, the Bidoon have been labeled as “illegal residents” by the government, a designation that severely restricts their access to fundamental services. They are denied public education, healthcare, and legal employment opportunities. Moreover, they face significant barriers in obtaining essential civil documentation, such as birth, marriage, and death certificates, further entrenching their marginalized status.
Systemic Discrimination and Human Rights Violations
The systemic discrimination against the Bidoon is not a recent phenomenon. Over the decades, various governmental bodies have implemented policies that have progressively stripped the Bidoon of their rights. For instance, the 1986 Secret Committee of the Council of Ministers revoked numerous privileges previously afforded to the Bidoon, including access to employment and the ability to amend personal records. Subsequent committees have continued this trend, with actions ranging from confiscating legal documents to restricting freedom of movement.
The recent wave of citizenship revocations has intensified the challenges faced by the Bidoon. While they were already stateless, the broader environment of denaturalization has heightened their fears of further marginalization and potential expulsion. Activists advocating for Bidoon rights have faced severe reprisals. Notably, Mona Kareem, a Bidoon poet and activist with U.S. citizenship, reported being deported from Kuwait despite her attempts to visit family. Such incidents underscore the government’s stringent measures against those highlighting the Bidoon’s challenges.
International Obligations and Calls for Reform
Kuwait’s actions stand in clear contrast to its international human rights obligations. The arbitrary deprivation of nationality is prohibited under international law, which also mandates the prevention of statelessness. Human rights organizations have called upon the Kuwaiti government to halt the mass citizenship revocations and to ensure that any measures adhere strictly to international human rights standards. There are urgent appeals for the establishment of transparent mechanisms to review citizenship claims and to address the longstanding issues faced by the Bidoon community.
Conclusion
Kuwait’s recent policies on citizenship revocation have not only affected thousands of individuals but have also spotlighted the enduring struggles of the Bidoon community. The intersection of mass denaturalization and systemic statelessness presents a pressing human rights concern. Addressing this crisis necessitates a comprehensive approach that upholds the principles of justice, equality, and adherence to international human rights norms. The Kuwaiti government must take immediate steps to rectify these injustices, ensuring that all individuals within its borders are afforded their inherent rights and dignity.