Give the Bedouns passports, so they can walk through the world's slopes and partake of His provision

Arab Times

12-07-2025

The recent government measures regarding those whose citizenships were revoked, whether obtained legally or fraudulently, are a step in the right direction toward easing their suffering. These actions have brought relief to many individuals and their families, and for that, we thank the ruler.
There is no doubt that this can be achieved only by a great man committed to social stability and the restoration of the relationship between these people and their community. This would allow them to move freely and deal with their situations through legitimate means. Not long ago, I urged the government to carefully study the ramifications of its decisions before issuing them, to avoid unintended consequences that could worsen people's lives. Issuing decisions without thorough consideration risks turning well-intended benefits into major disasters. Had these factors been considered before revoking citizenship, those with extensive family and business ties could have better managed the transition.
They could have avoided many of the negative consequences caused by the revocation and arranged their affairs more smoothly. It is no secret that the majority of those whose citizenship was revoked, excluding those proven to be forgers, experienced injustice, especially after their transactions were halted. This included being unable to withdraw money from banks, which severely affected their daily lives and their families' ability to meet basic needs.
However, with the initiation of the final procedures, even if incomplete, these individuals have begun to feel some relief after a long period of hardship. Their only consolation now lies in the existence of a grievance committee to review their petitions and restore rights to those who can prove they deserve them. We live in a country that acts with humanity and keeps its doors open to all. Officials listen to every complaint, which builds great hope. We live in a country where people freely express their feelings for the nation, and their leaders listen and respond because they fear God in their country.
In a related, and perhaps even more important, matter is the issue of the so-called 'Bedoun,' commonly referred to as 'illegal residents.' This group has been stuck in limbo for decades, like a snowball growing larger every day. The number of Bedoun residents continues to rise, while viable solutions remain elusive. At the same time, we face challenges with the Kuwaitization of jobs and the large number of non-Kuwaitis employed in state institutions.
This Bedoun group understands the fabric of society and has made significant contributions in many fields, especially the fathers of some members, who defended Kuwait and sacrificed for it. Therefore, they have basic human rights, including the right to work and earn a decent living. They can be employed in various sectors, particularly in state institutions, to fill positions currently held by expatriates. Implementing this proposal would have multiple benefits, such as reducing security burdens and curbing the outflow of remittances abroad.
The Bedoun residents would spend their earnings within Kuwait, which they regard as their only homeland. Employing them would not impose additional costs on the state, as the services they use already exist. Although rumors suggest the number of Bedoun residents is around 100,000, this figure does not align with the official count reported by the Central Agency for the Remedy of the Situations of Illegal Residents.
The Ministry of Interior is aware of this. Employing this population would ease many burdens on the country. We must not forget that many Bedoun residents were born, raised, and educated in Kuwaiti schools. Some have excelled in various fields but were denied full human dignity. Many Bedoun residents immigrated to countries that granted them citizenship, where they found work and completed their education, only to return to Kuwait because they consider it their true home.
Also, many Bedoun women are mothers to Kuwaiti children and share a deep attachment to Kuwait as their homeland. So why aren't Bedoun residents granted passports, like those whose citizenship has been revoked? Granting them full-term passports would allow them to travel freely to any country in search of work and livelihood. It is quite possible that many would regain their fathers' or grandfathers' citizenship once granted this freedom of movement, instead of continuing to live in poverty and with restricted mobility. It is well known that people are naturally friendly and do not like harm, but harsh circumstances can push them to commit a crime when they struggle to provide for their families.
If restrictions tighten further, some may abandon their values and resort to illegal means to survive. First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Yousef Al-Sabah is deeply concerned about this issue. We thank him for his concern and pray for God's guidance and support in his efforts. Therefore, it is important to carefully consider the repercussions and channel the energy of the Bedoun community for the benefit of society, rather than neglecting the issue and allowing crime to escalate. There is a fine line between harsh enforcement and maintaining security through the rule of law. Judges consistently uphold the spirit of the law, balancing justice with compassion and the public interest, especially here in Kuwait, a country known for its humanity. We therefore bring this matter to the attention of senior officials and urge them to devise a fair and just solution for this group of people, whose numbers have grown after the revocation of citizenship. Facilitating travel for the Bedoun residents could enable many to reconnect with their family roots in other countries.