Kuwait Revokes Citizenship of 21 Individuals
Kuwait City, Kuwait – The State of Kuwait has announced the revocation of citizenship for 21 individuals, along with their dependents, through the issuance of three Amiri decrees. This decision, published in the official gazette *Kuwait Al-Youm* on October 19, 2025, is part of a comprehensive and ongoing governmental review aimed at ensuring compliance with the nation's nationality laws.
Details of the Recent Decrees
The three Amiri decrees specify the breakdown of the revocations. Decree No. 200 of 2025 ordered the withdrawal of citizenship from three individuals and those who had acquired it through them. Subsequently, Decree No. 201 of 2025 revoked the citizenship of one person and their dependents. The largest group was affected by Decree No. 202 of 2025, which stripped citizenship from seventeen individuals and their dependents. These actions underscore the government's commitment to scrutinizing citizenship files for adherence to legal standards.
Broader Citizenship Review and Legal Grounds
This latest round of revocations is situated within a sweeping campaign initiated by Kuwait to review nationality files. Since August 2024, the country has seen the citizenship of tens of thousands of individuals revoked, with figures reaching approximately 50,000 by August 2025. The primary reasons cited for such revocations include:
- Obtaining nationality through 'fraud, forgery, or false statements'.
- Holding dual nationality, which is prohibited under Kuwaiti law.
- Engaging in actions deemed against the 'supreme interests' of the state or national security.
- Convictions for crimes related to 'honor or honesty' within 15 years of naturalization.
The legal framework underpinning these actions includes amendments to the 1959 Kuwaiti Nationality Law, notably Decree 116/2024 enacted in December 2024. These amendments expanded the government's authority to revoke citizenship, including retroactive application. The Supreme Committee for Kuwaiti Nationality, chaired by First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Yousef Al Sabah, leads the investigation and recommendation process.
Process and Implications
The recommendations for citizenship revocation are presented to the Cabinet for ratification before being officially published. Kuwaiti citizenship is highly valued, granting access to extensive state benefits such as healthcare, education, public-sector employment, and subsidized housing. Consequently, revocations can have significant implications, potentially leading to statelessness and loss of access to essential services for affected individuals. In May 2025, the government launched an electronic grievance portal, and a Cabinet-appointed committee was established to allow individuals to challenge these decisions. However, some reports indicate that the decisions of the Supreme Committee are not subject to judicial oversight.
Conclusion
The recent Amiri decrees reflect Kuwait's continued efforts to enforce its nationality laws rigorously. As the state's comprehensive review of citizenship cases progresses, authorities maintain that these measures are crucial for safeguarding national identity and ensuring legal compliance across the population.
5 Comments
Raphael
It's understandable that Kuwait wants to prevent fraud, but denying judicial oversight for such critical decisions seems like a dangerous precedent for individual rights.
Leonardo
Every nation has the right to enforce its nationality laws. This is just that.
Michelangelo
Finally, strong action against those who exploit citizenship. Well done!
Leonardo
Good! Upholding national laws is essential. No place for fraud.
Donatello
Protecting national identity is a valid goal, yet the retroactive application of new laws to revoke citizenship years later can create immense instability and injustice for families.