Grievances panel holds key
This caused both minor and major repercussions that could have been anticipated and prevented, but those issues now belong to the past. As always, I supported the government's decisions, believing that the chaos surrounding the granting of Kuwaiti citizenship since Kuwait's liberation, especially over the past 15 years, should never have happened and cannot continue. Thus, the decisions to revoke citizenship were made in response to Amiri directives and to deal with the ongoing controversy surrounding troubling, often shocking cases of illegal naturalization.
Given several circumstances, some of which I have previously discussed, it was impossible to rely on traditional methods to uncover these cases or overlook them. Also, there was a risk that reviewers could be accused of bias, and the committee's decisions might be seen as hasty or unfair. Therefore, it was necessary to take decisive and difficult measures by revoking the citizenship of all individuals in this category first, and then reviewing the files that might have been subject to injustice or arbitrariness. Some may disagree with what I have said, but this is not a justification for the decisions; rather, it is the reality.
In any case, this is now part of the past, and there is no use crying over spilled milk. The estimated number of wives whose citizenship was revoked is around 30,000. This means that at least ten percent of the country's citizens were directly affected by this decision, including their spouses, children, grandchildren, and relatives.
I do not criticize the government's decisions, as long as their goal was, and remains, the public interest and the protection of national identity. I also respect those who rightfully obtained Kuwaiti citizenship and have built wonderful families we can all be proud of. However, it is time to pay attention to the 'Grievance Review Committee.' Almost no one knows how it operates, its importance, legality, or the binding nature of its decisions. No one knows when it will begin its work. It lacks a spokesperson to reassure those concerned. Justice demands that no one be punished for the mistakes of another.
Reshaping national identity and making it more credible and authentic requires the committee to act quickly and conduct its work with full transparency. Hundreds of thousands await the outcomes of its sessions, which I hope have already begun since the committee's formation was announced a few months ago. Kuwait, a country of freedom and humanity, needs to strengthen its global reputation through the issuance of final and decisive decisions by this committee. Leaving the situation unresolved worries everyone including those whose citizenship was revoked, their families, and all who care about public affairs.
It is important to commend the exemplary official handling of this matter so far. In conclusion, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) can deliver important and significant benefits by reducing waiting periods. AI is highly effective in accelerating data analysis, quickly and accurately reviewing applications, and detecting unfair or discriminatory patterns in the granting or revocation of citizenship. It can identify biases in decision-making, if any, by studying the history of past rulings, conducting statistical analyses, and verifying the authenticity of documents at remarkable speed, all while ensuring applications meet all requirements without human intervention.
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Kuwait Times
an hour ago
- Kuwait Times
Lammy's visit underscores deep friendship
KUWAIT: The United Kingdom's commitment to its longstanding friendship with Kuwait was reaffirmed this week during an official visit by the UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development affairs the Rt Hon David Lammy MP, who was honored to meet with senior Kuwaiti leadership for the 2025 UK-Kuwait Strategic Dialogue. The UK Foreign Secretary was received by His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al - Hamad Al-Sabah, His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya. Discussions reflected the strength of the historic relationship between Kuwait and the United Kingdom that spans over 250 years and touched on a wide range of shared interests including regional affairs, defense cooperation, trade and investment and international development partnerships. As part of the visit, two MoUs were signed between the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, on providing joint emergency humanitarian assistance to vulnerable populations affected by conflicts in Somalia and Sudan. Both parties will provide a total contribution of five million dollars to support ICRC's humanitarian work in Somalia and a total of 10 million dollars to support UNICEF's work in sustaining vital primary healthcare, nutrition and child protection services in Sudan. These agreements represent an important step in continuing to build the UK-Kuwait international development partnership following the success of the first joint project in September 2024, which provided aid to Gaza and Yemen. The visit also included a meeting with Minister of Finance & Minister of State for Economic Affairs and Investment, Noura Al-Fassam, where discussions focused on bilateral trade now totaling £6.1 billion per year & investment, advancements on UK-GCC Free Trade Agreement negotiations and UK's interest in Kuwait's Vision 2035. During the visit, the Foreign Secretary visited the Commercial Bank of Kuwait to meet with Chairman Sheikh Ahmad Duaij Jaber Al-Sabah and one of several British Kuwaiti joint venture businesses contributing to Kuwait's economic development - Kuwait British Renewables. The meeting underlined the UK's ongoing commitment to supporting private sector collaboration, knowledge exchange and innovation between the two countries. A special meeting was also held with young Kuwaiti diplomats and professionals at Saud Al Nasser Al Sabah Kuwait Diplomatic Institute hosted by Deputy Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. The Foreign Secretary commended their passion, talent and global outlook, and welcomed their role in shaping the future of Kuwait-UK relations. The UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development affairs, Rt Hon David Lammy MP, commented on the bilateral relationship stating: 'Kuwait and the United Kingdom have an enduring, close, deep friendship bounded by people-to-people and strong cultural links, a strong defense and security partnership, we've been trading for over 250 years and our first bilateral relations go back to 1899 of course supplemented by the relationship between our two royal families. I am in Kuwait to conduct a strategic dialogue, an important strategic dialogue that sets up the next era of our relations. There's more we can do on trade, and business, and investment, there's more that we can do on security and defense at this challenging time for global security and peace particularly here in the Middle East.' Reflecting on the visit, British Ambassador Belinda Lewis, stated: 'This visit marks another chapter in over 125 years of close friendship between Kuwait and the United Kingdom. It comes at a time of deepening cooperation across numerous sectors including trade, humanitarian development and cultural exchange. The British Embassy in Kuwait looks forward to building on the momentum of this important visit and continuing to work in partnership with Kuwaiti institutions for the benefit of both our peoples.' Head of ICRC GCC Regional Delegation, Mamadou Sow stated: 'This joint commitment by the Kuwait Fund and the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office sends a strong signal of solidarity with the people of Somalia. With their support, we're able to deliver essential health and water services in areas where needs are urgent and often invisible. It's a testament to the power of principled humanitarian action and to the leadership of Kuwait and the UK in placing humanity at the heart of international cooperation.' UNICEF Gulf Area Office Representative, Eltayeb Adam noted: 'This generous joint contribution from the UK Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office and the Kuwait Fund comes at a critical time for children in Sudan. It is more than financial support; it is a lifeline. This partnership shows what's possible when long-standing partners unite with a shared purpose: to protect children's rights, restore essential services, and bring hope to those affected by crisis. UNICEF deeply values this growing humanitarian collaboration, which is helping build a more resilient future for Sudan's most vulnerable children.'
Arab Times
8 hours ago
- Arab Times
Rt Hon David Lammy MP's VISIT TO KUWAIT UNDERSCORES DEEP FRIENDSHIP AND FUTURE PARTNERSHIP
KUWAIT CITY, July 9: The United Kingdom's commitment to its longstanding friendship with the State of Kuwait was reaffirmed this week during an official visit by the UK S ecretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development affairs the Rt Hon David Lammy MP, who was honoured to meet with senior Kuwaiti leadership for the 2025 UK-Kuwait Strategic Dialogue. The UK Foreign Secretary was received by His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al - Khaled Al - Hamad Al-Sabah, His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al - Ahmad Al - Sabah and Foreign Minister HE Abdullah Ali Al -Yahya. Discussions reflected the strength of the historic relationship between Kuwait and the United Kingdom that spans over 250 years and touched on a wide range of shared interests including regional affairs, defence cooperation, , trade and investment, and international development partnerships. As part of the visit, two MoUs were signed between the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, on providing joint emergency humanitarian assistance to vulnerable populations affected by conflicts in Somalia and Sudan. Both parties will provide a total contribution of five million dollars to support ICRC's humanitarian work in Somalia and a total of 10 million dollars to support UNICEF's work in sustaining vital primary healthcare, nutrition and child protection services in Sudan. These agreements represent an important step in continuing to build the UK-Kuwait international development partnership following the success of the first joint project in September 2024, which provided aid to Gaza and Yemen. The visit also included a meeting with H.E. the Minister of Finance & Minister of State for Economic Affairs and Investment, Noora Al - Fassam, where discussions focused on bilateral trade now totalling £6.1 billion per year & investment, advancements on UK – GCC Free Trade Agreement negotiations and UK's interest in Kuwait's Vision 2035. During the visit, the Foreign Secretary visited the Commercial Bank of Kuwait to meet with Chairman Sheikh Ahmad Duaij Jaber Al-Sabah and one of several British Kuwaiti joint venture businesses contributing to Kuwait's economic development - Kuwait British Renewables. The meeting underlined the UK's ongoing commitment to supporting private sector collaboration, knowledge exchange and innovation between the two countries. A special meeting was also held with young Kuwaiti diplomats and professionals at Saud Al Nasser Al Sabah Kuwait Diplomatic Institute hosted by Deputy Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al -Ahmad Al- Sabah. The Foreign Secretary commended their passion, talent and global outlook, and welcomed their role in shaping the future of Kuwait-UK relations The UK S ecretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development affairs - Rt Hon David Lammy MP, commented on the bilateral relationship stating: 'Kuwait and the United Kingdom have an enduring, close, deep friendship bounded by people-to-people and strong cultural links, a strong defence and security partnership, we've been trading for over 250 years and out first bilateral relations go back to 1899 of course supplemented by the relationship between our two royal families. I am in Kuwait to conduct a strategic dialogue, an important strategic dialogue that sets up the next era of our relations. There's more we can do on trade, and business, and investment, there's more that we can do on security and defence at this challenging time for global security and peace particularly here in the Middle East.' Reflecting on the visit, British Ambassador Belinda Lewis, stated: 'This visit marks another chapter in over 125 years of close friendship between Kuwait and the United Kingdom. It comes at a time of deepening cooperation across numerous sectors including trade, humanitarian development and cultural exchange. The British Embassy in Kuwait looks forward to building on the momentum of this important visit and continuing to work in partnership with Kuwaiti institutions for the benefit of both our peoples.' Head of ICRC GCC Regional Delegation, Mamadou Sow stated: 'This joint commitment by the Kuwait Fund and the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office sends a strong signal of solidarity with the people of Somalia. With their support, we're able to deliver essential health and water services in areas where needs are urgent and often invisible. It's a testament to the power of principled humanitarian action and to the leadership of Kuwait and the UK in placing humanity at the heart of international cooperation.' UNICEF Gulf Area Office Representative, Eltayeb Adam noted: 'This generous joint contribution from the UK Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office and the Kuwait Fund comes at a critical time for children in Sudan. It is more than financial support; it is a lifeline. This partnership shows what's possible when long-standing partners unite with a shared purpose: to protect children's rights, restore essential services, and bring hope to those affected by crisis. UNICEF deeply values this growing humanitarian collaboration, which is helping build a more resilient future for Sudan's most vulnerable children.'
Arab Times
8 hours ago
- Arab Times
Grievances panel holds key
For various reasons, Kuwaiti citizenship was revoked from tens of thousands of individuals during the period between 1987 and about two years ago. Nearly half of them were women married to Kuwaiti citizens. This caused both minor and major repercussions that could have been anticipated and prevented, but those issues now belong to the past. As always, I supported the government's decisions, believing that the chaos surrounding the granting of Kuwaiti citizenship since Kuwait's liberation, especially over the past 15 years, should never have happened and cannot continue. Thus, the decisions to revoke citizenship were made in response to Amiri directives and to deal with the ongoing controversy surrounding troubling, often shocking cases of illegal naturalization. Given several circumstances, some of which I have previously discussed, it was impossible to rely on traditional methods to uncover these cases or overlook them. Also, there was a risk that reviewers could be accused of bias, and the committee's decisions might be seen as hasty or unfair. Therefore, it was necessary to take decisive and difficult measures by revoking the citizenship of all individuals in this category first, and then reviewing the files that might have been subject to injustice or arbitrariness. Some may disagree with what I have said, but this is not a justification for the decisions; rather, it is the reality. In any case, this is now part of the past, and there is no use crying over spilled milk. The estimated number of wives whose citizenship was revoked is around 30,000. This means that at least ten percent of the country's citizens were directly affected by this decision, including their spouses, children, grandchildren, and relatives. I do not criticize the government's decisions, as long as their goal was, and remains, the public interest and the protection of national identity. I also respect those who rightfully obtained Kuwaiti citizenship and have built wonderful families we can all be proud of. However, it is time to pay attention to the 'Grievance Review Committee.' Almost no one knows how it operates, its importance, legality, or the binding nature of its decisions. No one knows when it will begin its work. It lacks a spokesperson to reassure those concerned. Justice demands that no one be punished for the mistakes of another. Reshaping national identity and making it more credible and authentic requires the committee to act quickly and conduct its work with full transparency. Hundreds of thousands await the outcomes of its sessions, which I hope have already begun since the committee's formation was announced a few months ago. Kuwait, a country of freedom and humanity, needs to strengthen its global reputation through the issuance of final and decisive decisions by this committee. Leaving the situation unresolved worries everyone including those whose citizenship was revoked, their families, and all who care about public affairs. It is important to commend the exemplary official handling of this matter so far. In conclusion, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) can deliver important and significant benefits by reducing waiting periods. AI is highly effective in accelerating data analysis, quickly and accurately reviewing applications, and detecting unfair or discriminatory patterns in the granting or revocation of citizenship. It can identify biases in decision-making, if any, by studying the history of past rulings, conducting statistical analyses, and verifying the authenticity of documents at remarkable speed, all while ensuring applications meet all requirements without human intervention.
