This Muslim country revokes nationality of over 26,000 married women due to…, under new law…, more than half…

New Delhi: In Kuwait, nearly 42,000 people’s citizenship has been revoked in the past few months. This action was initiated under the leadership of the new Emir, 84-year-old Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who took power in December 2023. The government claims that only genuine Kuwaitis, who have a blood relationship here, will remain in Kuwait. This policy targets those foreigners who have illegally obtained Kuwaiti citizenship.

The women who became citizens here after marrying Kuwaiti men have been the most affected. They have been the main target of this action. After losing their citizenship, these individuals become citizens of no country. They are deprived of rights such as access to government health services, school fees for their children, buying land, or holding shares in companies. Some people’s driving licenses have been revoked, and access to their bank accounts has been restricted. The same happened to these women; when they tried to make payments, they realised that their accounts had already been frozen.

The Emir had stated in a speech that among the approximately 5 million people living in Kuwait, only one-third are actual Kuwaitis. Since August, thousands of people’s citizenship has been revoked, including 26,000 women who acquired citizenship after marriage. This is an official report from Kuwait, while the actual number is expected to be even higher. The new Emir Sheikh Mishal Al Ahmad Al Sabah dissolved the parliament after becoming the Emir in December 2023 and also suspended some parts of the constitution.

In December, an amendment was made to a law under which citizenship can be revoked for reasons such as ‘moral corruption, dishonesty, or criticism of wealthy and religious figures.’ A Supreme Committee led by the Home Minister is determining whose citizenship is valid.

Every week, the names of those whose citizenship has been revoked are made public. People, out of fear, search these lists for their own or their relatives’ names. Kuwait does not allow dual citizenship, so those obtaining Kuwaiti citizenship must renounce their original citizenship.

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