Kuwait revokes 52 citizenship cases for fraud since March 4

The number of people who have lost or had their citizenship revoked in Kuwait has increased to 52 since March 4, due to the issuance of decrees and decisions to withdraw citizenship from 26 individuals, the majority of whom obtained it through fraud or forgery.

Two decrees were issued in “Kuwait Today”, the first stipulating the withdrawal of citizenship from one person, along with those who acquired it through dependency with them, based on Article 13 (Clause 1) of Emiri Decree No. 15 of 1959 concerning the Kuwaiti Nationality Law and its amendments.

This clause stipulates the withdrawal of citizenship if it was obtained fraudulently or based on false statements, with the option to revoke it from someone who may have acquired it through dependency.

The second decree stipulated the withdrawal of citizenship from five people based on Article 13 itself, but in accordance with Clause 2, which specifies the withdrawal of citizenship if a person is convicted within 15 years of obtaining citizenship of a crime against honor or trust.

The Council of Ministers also issued two decisions to revoke the citizenship certificates of 20 individuals, based on Article 21 bis “A” of Amiri Decree No. 15 of 1959, which states the following: “The Kuwaiti citizenship certificate shall be revoked if it is discovered that it was obtained unlawfully through fraud or false statements.”

The withdrawal will be initiated by a decision of the Council of Ministers upon the recommendation of the Minister of the Interior, and it must entail the revocation of Kuwaiti nationality from anyone who acquired it through dependency on the holder of that certificate.

These new decrees and decisions are in addition to seven previous decisions issued by the Supreme Committee for the Investigation of Kuwaiti Nationality, as of March 4, stipulating the loss of citizenship for 26 other individuals. These actions are based on Articles 9, 10, and 11 of Emiri Decree No. 15 of 1959 concerning the Kuwaiti Nationality Law and its amendments.

In a related context, the General Administration of Kuwaiti Nationality and Travel Documents, represented by the Nationality Investigation Department, has established a hotline for citizens to provide essential information about individuals with forged or dual nationality. They urge anyone with such information to promptly report it via the hotline number (97287676) for immediate search, investigation, and necessary legal action.

The General Administration of Security Relations and Media at the Ministry of Interior confirmed, in a statement last Friday night, that “all information sent will be handled with complete confidentiality,” noting that the step is taken “from a perspective of national duty, to preserve identity and national interest, and to exemplify the saying (every citizen is a sentinel).”

After facing criticism from certain candidates for the upcoming National Assembly elections, the Ministry of Interior clarified in a statement on Saturday, that it established the hotline “based on laws aimed at combating crime and corruption, and preserving national identity and public interest. Every individual who is aware of a crime is obligated to report it according to the law.”

The ministry highlighted that Article 14 of Law 17 of 1960 of the Code of Criminal Procedure and Trials states: Any person who witnesses the commission of a crime or is aware of its occurrence must promptly report it to the nearest police or investigative authority. Anyone who fails to report it, due to disinterest in the accused, will be penalized with the punishment for withholding testimony. However, this provision does not apply to the spouse, ascendants, or descendants of the perpetrator of the crime.

The ministry affirmed that “all decisions taken are fully committed to the constitution, laws, and security considerations to protect the public interest. All numbers for the Ministry of Interior are designated for reporting all crimes.”