“Citizenship revocations require thorough scrutiny, verification”

•  “It is unreasonable for dual nationals and counterfeiters to benefit from privileges they do not deserve,” said Sheikh Fahd Al-Yousef, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, and Acting Minister of Interior. “The law will be applied to them without any leniency.”

Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, and Acting Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahd Al-Yousef emphasized the importance of handling reports received through the designated hotline, specifically for reporting counterfeiters and dual nationals.

Al-Yousef stated in a statement to Al-Qabas newspaper, “There is no need for any fear,” emphasizing that “no nationality will be revoked without meticulous scrutiny, and all identification papers and documents will be thoroughly verified before any action is taken.”

He added, “We have received reports since opening the designated hotline for reporting suspicions, and no action will be taken until the information is accurately verified.”

Al-Yousef explained that the Supreme Committee for Nationality is fully and impartially performing its role in accordance with the law. He emphasized, “It is unreasonable for dual nationals and counterfeiters to benefit from privileges they do not deserve,” and stressed that “the law will be applied to them without any leniency.”

In response to Al-Qabas’s question about other expected payments, Al-Yousef said, “Payments for renouncing citizenship are ongoing, and the committee is meticulously reviewing the files. These payments will be announced once decisions are made and submitted to the Council of Ministers.”

In terms of dealing with individuals holding foreign, Arab, or Gulf nationality, Al-Yousef highlighted that “this matter falls under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Committee for Nationality. Individuals with multiple nationalities will have the option to either renounce their Kuwaiti nationality or retain it while relinquishing their other nationality.”

After the Ministry of Interior recently announced the establishment of a hotline to report counterfeiters and dual nationals, emphasizing that this initiative stems from a sense of national duty and a commitment to preserve identity and national interests, Al-Yousef stressed the need for precise handling of reports submitted to the hotline.

Payments are ongoing

In response to Al-Qabas’s question about other expected payments, Al-Yousef said, “The payments for renouncing citizenship are ongoing, and the committee is carefully examining the files. These payments will be announced as soon as decisions are made and submitted to the Council of Ministers.”

Regarding dealing with individuals who have foreign, Arab, or Gulf nationality, Al-Yousef pointed out that this matter falls under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Committee for Nationality. He mentioned that individuals with another nationality will have the option to either renounce their Kuwaiti nationality or retain it while giving up the other nationality they hold.

Hot line

The Ministry of Interior has announced the establishment of a hotline to report counterfeiters and dual nationals, emphasizing that “all information received will be handled with complete confidentiality.”

In a statement, the General Administration of Security Relations and Media mentioned, “Out of national duty and to preserve identity and national interest, the General Administration of Kuwaiti Nationality and Travel Documents, represented by the Nationality Investigation Department, has allocated a hotline to communicate with citizens to provide all serious information regarding counterfeiters and dual Kuwaiti nationalities, and to embody the saying: ‘Every citizen is a sentinel.’”

According to the statement, the Nationality and Travel Documents Department confirmed its ongoing efforts to arrest counterfeiters and forgers, urging anyone with information about such individuals to report it immediately via the hotline for research, investigation, and necessary legal action.

National identity

The Ministry of Interior emphasized that its statement is based on the law, aiming to combat crime and corruption while preserving national identity and public interest. It stated that every individual who is aware of a crime is obligated to report it in accordance with the law.

The ministry explained that Article 14 of Law 17 of 1960 in the Code of Criminal Procedure and Trials mandates that any person who witnesses or has knowledge of a crime must report it immediately to the nearest police or investigative authority.

Failure to report such information results in punishment, as it is considered disrespectful to the accused, with the penalty being refraining from testifying. However, this rule does not apply to the spouse, ascendants, or descendants of anyone involved in the crime.

It stated that all decisions taken are fully compliant with the constitution, laws, and security considerations aimed at protecting the public interest. Additionally, all contact numbers for the Ministry of Interior are designated for reporting all crimes.

Decrees and decisions

There were four new decrees and decisions to withdraw citizenship from 26 individuals for various reasons, and these were published in the Official Gazette in its issue released last Sunday.

The new decrees and decisions were made based on Article 13/1 of the Nationality Law, which specifies the withdrawal of citizenship if it was obtained through fraud or false statements.

They were also based on Article 2, which mandates the withdrawal of citizenship if a person is convicted within 15 years after acquiring Kuwaiti citizenship for a crime against honor and trust.

Additionally, they were based on Article 21 bis, which imposes penalties on individuals who provide incorrect information to the administrative authorities responsible for citizenship acquisition.