Kuwait Citizenship Revocation: A Growing Crisis and Its Implications
The situation in Kuwait is rapidly evolving, with a deeply concerning trend emerging: the revocation of citizenship on a massive scale. Since September 2024, at least 50,000 people in Kuwait have lost their nationality, a figure campaigners believe could reach as high as 200,000. This dramatic increase in denaturalization, coupled with a halt in official government reporting of these numbers since September 2025, has sparked outrage and raised serious questions about the future of democratic freedoms within the Gulf state. Kuwait, traditionally viewed as a relatively open society in the region, is facing a critical juncture.
A History of Relative Openness Under Strain
For decades, Kuwait has stood apart from many of its neighbors as one of the more democratic states in the Gulf. Established in 1963, its parliament, while possessing limited power, has nonetheless provided a platform for political discourse and representation. This openness has also manifested in Kuwait’s role as a regional mediator, often involved in de-escalating diplomatic crises. Furthermore, the country has historically offered refuge to dissidents fleeing more authoritarian regimes, a legacy that now appears to be crumbling.
Mohammed al-Mail, a political activist and Islamic scholar granted asylum in the UK in 2017, poignantly observes, “In the 70s, Kuwait was a closer refuge for the oppressed in the Middle East than Europe. The same state that once sheltered persecuted political refugees is now persecuting its own children.” This sentiment encapsulates the profound shift occurring within Kuwaiti society.
The Clampdown Under Sheikh Mishal Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah
The current wave of citizenship revocations began in earnest after Sheikh Mishal Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah assumed power in 2023. His reign has been marked by a significant crackdown on the limited democratic freedoms previously enjoyed by Kuwaiti citizens. The suspension of parliament in May 2024, alongside the suspension of key constitutional articles pertaining to citizenship, provided the legal framework for the widespread denaturalization of individuals, including activists, politicians, and ordinary citizens.
The case of Mohammed al-Mail himself is illustrative. Stripped of his Kuwaiti citizenship on October 19th, he describes the move as “purely political,” noting the surprising delay given his decade of outspoken criticism from exile. He believes the revocation was a last resort, employed after other attempts to silence him – through courts, media campaigns, and smear tactics – had failed.
Beyond High-Profile Cases: The Impact on Ordinary Residents
While the targeting of prominent figures like al-Mail and Islamic scholar Tareq al-Suwaidan has garnered attention, the most devastating consequences of this policy are arguably being felt by ordinary Kuwaiti residents, particularly women. The revocation of citizenship has disproportionately affected women who acquired nationality through marriage to Kuwaiti men, especially following the suspension of Article 9 of the constitution which previously protected their status.
Many of these women, having relinquished their original citizenship upon marrying, now find themselves stateless. This precarious situation denies them access to fundamental rights and services, including education, healthcare, employment, and property ownership. The term statelessness in Kuwait is becoming increasingly relevant as the crisis deepens.
Stories of Displacement and Desperation
Rights groups like Salam have documented harrowing case studies. Iman, born in Kuwait and naturalized in 2006, lost her citizenship after divorcing her abusive husband in 2013. After publicly stating her intention to legally challenge the decision, she faced further accusations of “insulting the state” and had her phone and healthcare access cut off. She was ultimately subjected to a degrading search and forcibly deported to Egypt, leaving her children behind.
Layla, a former Saudi Arabian citizen who naturalized in 2004, was told by Kuwaiti authorities to seek reinstatement of her Saudi citizenship if she wished to be “treated like a Kuwaiti.” However, Saudi authorities refused to intervene, leaving her in a legal limbo. These stories highlight the human cost of the citizenship laws in Kuwait.
Economic and Political Motivations
The reasons behind this aggressive campaign are multifaceted. Al-Mail argues that the current emir has lost legitimacy by undermining the constitution, positioning himself as a potential alternative leader. However, economic factors also play a significant role.
Kuwait, like other Gulf states, is grappling with the need to diversify its economy away from oil. The stripping of citizenship is seen by some as a way to manage the country’s welfare provisions and public sector employment by reducing the number of citizens eligible for benefits. This is a deliberate attempt at “defining a distinct Kuwaitness,” according to Andrew McIntosh of Salam, and controlling access to resources.
International Law and Lack of Accountability
Despite the clear violation of international law – which prohibits arbitrary deprivation of nationality and protects against statelessness – there has been limited condemnation from the international community. Tiana Danielle Xavier of the Institute on Statelessness and Inclusion emphasizes, “There are well-established international laws which prohibit depriving someone of their nationality arbitrarily, prohibit discrimination in the treatment of people, protect an individual from being rendered stateless and ensure that any decisions made need to follow due process.” Critically, Kuwait currently lacks a judicial review process for these citizenship revocation decisions.
Al-Mail has indicated he is seeking assistance from UK authorities and is preparing legal challenges to hold the Kuwaiti government accountable. The UK Foreign Office has stated it is gathering information on the impact of the campaign on Kuwaitis with British citizenship but has refrained from commenting on individual cases. The future of Kuwaiti nationality hangs in the balance, dependent on both internal pressure and external scrutiny.
Conclusion: A Crisis Demanding Attention
The ongoing revocation of citizenship in Kuwait represents a profound crisis with far-reaching consequences. The scale of the denaturalization, the targeting of vulnerable groups, and the lack of due process are deeply alarming. While economic pressures and political consolidation appear to be driving forces behind this policy, the human cost is undeniable. The international community must urgently address this situation, demanding accountability from the Kuwaiti government and advocating for the protection of fundamental rights. Further research into the long-term effects of this policy and the experiences of those affected is crucial to understanding the full extent of this unfolding tragedy.
