Kuwait Revokes Nearly 50,000 Citizenships in Nationwide Review

Kuwait has revoked the citizenship of nearly 50,000 people in an unprecedented nationwide review led by the Supreme Committee for Kuwaiti Nationality, chaired by First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah. The committee conducts a thorough investigation of all nationality files, including those of current government officials, using biometric tools to uncover fraud, forgery, and illegal naturalizations. Kuwait does not permit dual nationality, and citizenship can be revoked for obtaining it unlawfully or actions against state interests. Revocations have targeted individuals who obtained citizenship through fraudulent means, with some cases cited as being in the "higher interest" of the state. The crackdown follows longstanding challenges related to naturalization, including issues surrounding the stateless Bidoon population, and aims to preserve the integrity of Kuwaiti nationality. To enhance security, Kuwait plans to introduce a new digital version of nationality documents, and the government stresses strict enforcement of nationality laws without exceptions.