Kuwait: Revocation of Citizenship from 365 Individuals

SadaNews - The Kuwaiti authorities announced the revocation of citizenship from 365 individuals, including former international referee Saad Kameel, one of the most prominent names in sports officiating in Asia, as part of a campaign to review citizenship files.

 

The decision, published through four official decrees and a ministerial decision, included the revocation of citizenship from 357 individuals, while the ministerial decision encompassed 6 others and those who acquired citizenship through them, based on Article (21 bis A) of the Kuwaiti nationality law of 1959.

The article states that citizenship can be revoked if it is proven to have been granted based on fraud, false statements, or incorrect certificates, with the possibility of including dependents of the individual in the decision. This procedure comes as part of a broad campaign that began in August 2024, resulting in the revocation of citizenship for approximately 50,000 individuals by August 2025, according to media reports.

International referee Saad Kameel, who gained fame for officiating the third-place match in the 2002 World Cup between South Korea and Turkey, and the final of the 2007 Asian Cup between China and Japan, was among the surprising names. Kameel received the title of Best Asian Referee in 1997, making him a prominent sports figure in the region.

The campaign, led by Sheikh Fahad Youssef Al Sabah, the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior and Defense, aims to "protect national identity" by reviewing all citizenship files using advanced biometric techniques, such as DNA tests and iris scans. However, these procedures have drawn international criticism, with human rights organizations like "Human Rights Watch" labeling them as exacerbating the crisis of statelessness, especially among women and marginalized communities.

Those affected by the revocation of citizenship face significant challenges, including the loss of basic rights such as healthcare, education, and government employment, in addition to freezing bank accounts and revoking driver's licenses.

The authorities have provided a four-month grace period starting from July 19, 2025, for those whose citizenship was revoked under the "exceptional services" clause to regularize their status, with a one-year deadline to obtain a foreign passport or legal residency.