Kuwait City: In a shocking move, the Kuwaiti government has revoked the citizenship of thousands of individuals overnight, leaving many—predominantly women—stripped of their legal status and basic services. The abrupt action led to frozen bank accounts, loss of public services, and widespread confusion across the country.
According to local reports, many individuals woke up to find their civil IDs deactivated, unable to access their bank accounts or utilize any government facilities. Upon inquiry, they were informed that their citizenship had been nullified.
The move appears to be a part of a broader crackdown following Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah’s declaration in May 2024 that democracy in Kuwait was under threat. Subsequently, he announced major constitutional amendments and suspended several parliamentary provisions. A key focus of the recent citizenship revocations is women who acquired Kuwaiti nationality through marriage to Kuwaiti men.
One such affected person is Lama, originally from Jordan, who discovered her frozen bank account while attempting a card payment in Kuwait City. She later learned that her citizenship had been revoked. Lama is among an estimated 37,000 people who have lost their citizenship since August 2024—of whom around 26,000 are women.
The Emir has publicly stated that only individuals with a direct bloodline to original Kuwaiti families will be considered genuine citizens. In a controversial speech, he claimed that out of the nearly 5 million people living in Kuwait, only one-third are “authentic Kuwaitis.”
Kuwait has a long-standing issue of stateless residents. Since gaining independence from British protection in 1961, nearly 100,000 people have remained without citizenship. Without legal status, affected individuals lose access to banking, public education, employment in the government sector, and various other civic benefits.
The recent revocations primarily target those who gained citizenship through marriage post-1987. Between 1992 and 2020, official records show that 38,505 women were granted citizenship on this basis. The government is also targeting individuals with dual citizenship and those who received Kuwaiti nationality due to professional accomplishments or special contributions.
Even public figures have not been spared. Popular singer Nawal and actor Dawood Hussein are reportedly among those who have lost their Kuwaiti citizenship.
Human rights advocates and global observers have expressed concern over the move, calling it regressive and discriminatory. Analysts suggest that the Emir’s policies could lead to increased social tension and international criticism, especially from human rights organizations monitoring the Gulf region.
