O state of the new era, how wonderful it is to establish justice

Arab Times

12 hours ago

FROM the very beginning, we supported the purification of national identity by revoking the citizenship of individuals who committed forgery, engaged in bribery, or held dual nationalities in violation of Kuwaiti law. As this is a matter of sovereignty, it faced no public opposition and was rightfully left to the discretion of the ruler. The First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef has given this issue his full attention, addressing it in several meetings and press conferences, where he stressed that no one would be treated unjustly.
Observers of public affairs and newspaper columnists have praised this initiative, affirming that Kuwait, throughout its history, has never been a place for injustice. When certain privileges were restored to those whose citizenship had been revoked under Article 8 of the relevant law, it was welcomed as good news. This was followed by another positive step, which was the return of their passports.
This eased much of their hardship and marked the beginning of a way out of the tunnel of suffering. However, these measures did not extend to those whose citizenship was revoked under the 'meritorious acts' clause. This group is small in number but holds a prestigious place in society. They have made several significant contributions in various fields and have served Kuwait with distinction. Many among them have been officially honored by the state for their achievements in science, culture, and the arts, with some even receiving high-level accolades and numerous awards.
Since decisions to revoke citizenship fall under sovereign authority, their validity or accuracy is not open to public debate. Nevertheless, an important question remains - Would it not be reasonable to allow these individuals to retain the privileges they once received upon acquiring Kuwaiti citizenship, particularly as many of them continue to contribute meaningfully in their professional, medical, artistic, and cultural fields and serve Kuwait with dedication? Wouldn't it be better to continue extending these privileges, at least temporarily, until they can manage their affairs and secure alternative citizenship? This group does not impose a financial or material burden on the state. On the contrary, they are truly an added value to Kuwait's international standing.
Their situation calls for empathy, as they have no other homeland to turn to. It would be both fair and humane to treat them differently from others, especially considering they have committed no crimes against honor or integrity. It is true that among those whose citizenships were revoked, some had acquired them through fraud, bribery, or other illicit means. Some are implicated in serious crimes, including a recently uncovered drug trafficker who fraudulently obtained Kuwaiti citizenship. Only God knows how many lives were affected by this individual.
Many citizens fell victim to addiction because of his actions. Such criminals, and those who aided, bribed, or participated in the forgery, fully deserve to be held accountable. However, there is an important distinction between such offenders and those who were granted citizenship in recognition of their honorable service to Kuwait. Among this latter group are doctors who have worked to treat addicts, as well as intellectuals, artists, and university professors who have played a vital role in educating the public about the dangers of drug use and addiction.
Combating drugs is not limited to security measures or judicial actions alone. It is a comprehensive system that begins with education, public awareness, and preventive outreach, while also shedding light on the deceptive tactics employed by criminals. The law provides for three levels of trial to ensure that the scales of justice remain balanced. Those whose citizenship was revoked, having originally acquired it due to exceptional contributions, may be treated in line with this legal principle.
This would mean allowing them to retain the benefits associated with citizenship until the Grievance Committee, formed under the direction of His Excellency the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, issues a final decision on their case. Should the committee choose to reinstate their citizenship, they would have suffered no undue loss and would continue their service to Kuwait.
We affirm once again that we are today living in an era of justice, where the rights of the wronged are being restored. There would be no harm in His Excellency Sheikh Fahad Yousef Al-Sabah showing compassion toward this vital group, as these individuals have significantly contributed to Kuwait and continue to do so.