Kuwait Approves Use Of DNA And Biometrics Testing In Citizenship Decisions
The Kuwaiti government has issued a new ministerial resolution authorising the use of advanced scientific methods—including DNA and biometric analysis — in decisions related to the granting, revocation, confirmation, or withdrawal of Kuwaiti citizenship.
Ministerial Resolution No. 678 of 2025, issued by Sheikh Fahad Al Yousef, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, outlines a regulatory framework aimed at enhancing the accuracy and integrity of citizenship procedures through modern technology.
According to local media, the resolution includes the following key provisions: Scientific verification tools: The use of DNA testing and biometric data such as fingerprints, facial recognition, and iris scans will be permitted to determine eligibility for Kuwaiti nationality.
The use of DNA testing and biometric data such as fingerprints, facial recognition, and iris scans will be permitted to determine eligibility for Kuwaiti nationality. Mandatory testing : Individuals under review will be required to undergo genetic and biometric testing at centres designated and certified by the Ministry of Interior.
Individuals under review will be required to undergo genetic and biometric testing at centres designated and certified by the Ministry of Interior. Data confidentiality : All personal and genetic data must be treated with the utmost confidentiality. The testing process must be meticulously documented at each stage.
All personal and genetic data must be treated with the utmost confidentiality. The testing process must be meticulously documented at each stage. Legal safeguards: Tests must be conducted by qualified professionals who have no personal or familial relationship with the individual concerned. Results will be assessed jointly by the General Department of Criminal Evidence and the Nationality Department, and final recommendations will be submitted to the Supreme Committee for Nationality
Tests must be conducted by qualified professionals who have no personal or familial relationship with the individual concerned. Results will be assessed jointly by the General Department of Criminal Evidence and the Nationality Department, and final recommendations will be submitted to the Supreme Committee for Nationality Permissible biological samples: DNA samples may be collected from a variety of sources, including blood, saliva, hair, bone, and urine, among others.
DNA samples may be collected from a variety of sources, including blood, saliva, hair, bone, and urine, among others. Oversight and supervision:The Ministry of Interior is authorised to collaborate with the Ministry of Health and other relevant bodies to ensure the implementation of proper procedures and scientific integrity.
The resolution will come into effect upon its publication in the official gazette.
Officials say the move reflects Kuwait's commitment to transparency, accuracy, and legal due process in matters of national identity.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Tribune
17 hours ago
- Daily Tribune
HM Leads Royal Eid Gathering
SK bahrain His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa performed Eid Al Adha prayers at Al Sakhir Palace Mosque, accompanied by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, yesterday, highlighting a moment of unity between the Kingdom's leadership and its people on one of Islam's holiest days. Their Highnesses the sons of HM the King, senior members of the Royal Family, ministers, and top officers from the Bahrain Defence Force, the Ministry of Interior, and the National Guard also performed the prayers, underscoring the collective presence of Bahrain's leadership in a shared act of worship. Faith and leadership The sermon was delivered by H.E. Shaikh Dr. Rashid bin Mohammed Al Hajri, Chairman of the Sunni Endowments Council, who highlighted the noble values of Eid Al Adha. H.E. prayed for HM King Hamad's continued health, happiness, and long life to lead the Kingdom towards further achievement, security, and prosperity. H.E. Shaikh Al Hajri also wished Bahrain and its people lasting safety and progress under His Majesty's leadership. Blessings exchanged Following the sermon, HM King Hamad exchanged greetings with worshippers, extending Eid wishes of further blessings and prosperity to the Kingdom and its people, and praying for continued progress across the Arab and Islamic nations.
Daily Tribune
2 days ago
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain's alternative sentencing model inspires regional justice reform
Bahrain's pioneering alternative sentencing model is influencing justice reform efforts across the Arab region, legal and law enforcement experts said at the First International Conference on Alternative Sentencing. Speaking during the conference's second session, which focused on alternative sanctions and future challenges, participants highlighted the importance of balancing justice, rehabilitation, and public safety through modern sentencing practices. The session was chaired by Dr. Mohammed Muqbil, Assistant Undersecretary for State Cases and International Cooperation at Bahrain's Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments. Transition Egypt's former Interior Minister, Major General Ahmed Gamal El Din, noted that his country is transitioning from traditional incarceration to rehabilitation-focused facilities equipped with modern healthcare, drug treatment programmes, and educational services. He emphasised the role of technology in administering alternative sanctions while protecting public security and individual rights. Brigadier General Osama Majed Al-Majed, Assistant Director General of Kuwait's General Directorate of Correctional Institutions, outlined recent legal reforms in his country, including the new Domestic Violence Law and Alternative Sentencing Law No. 5 of 2025. These laws promote community service and rehabilitation as judicial alternatives, aiming to reduce reoffending and support reintegration. Collaboration He also called for continued regional collaboration in shaping responsive legal frameworks. Colonel Dr. Ali Al-Zuabi from the UAE Ministry of Interior shared the UAE's preventive justice strategy, which focuses on crime deterrence through advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and smart surveillance systems. He highlighted the importance of community involvement and the growing use of digital tools, such as electronic community service platforms.
Daily Tribune
4 days ago
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain Showcases Reformative Justice Leadership at National Conference
The third session of Bahrain's National Conference on Criminal Justice Reform concluded today, shining a spotlight on global best practices in adopting rehabilitative justice systems that strike a careful balance between public safety and human rights. Chaired by Mr. Ali Ahmed Amini, Director of Crime Prevention at the Ministry of Interior, the session emphasized the importance of progressive criminal justice programs that bolster community security while enhancing the efficiency and humanity of legal systems. Amini stressed that reform-driven approaches can deliver justice without compromising the rights of the accused or the broader community. One of the session's highlights was an in-depth presentation by Judge Ayoub Ali Abu Jaafar from Morocco's Ministry of Justice. He detailed his country's strategic shift toward alternative sentencing, especially for offenses carrying prison terms of five years or less. Morocco's legal evolution now includes community service, daily fines, electronic monitoring, and rehabilitative supervision—excluding high-risk crimes to ensure public safety and victim rights. Abu Jaafar praised Bahrain's pioneering efforts, calling them a legal and humanitarian model for the region. From Jordan, Brigadier General Dr. Judge Mohammad Al-Shdeifat shared insights into the Hashemite Kingdom's alternative sanctions framework, including community work, electronic monitoring, and restricted movement orders. These are tailored based on the offender's background and crime severity, ensuring they pose no threat to public order. He noted societal acceptance and effective rehabilitation programs as key challenges to successful implementation. Innovation in justice reform was another focal point, with Eng. Hassan Isa Al-Sharqi, CEO of QPlus Inspection & Quality Consultancy, illustrating how Bahrain integrates cutting-edge technology in sentence execution. He described a forward-thinking approach involving idea labs, digital transformation, and innovation cafés that feed into a cycle of continuous improvement, making the criminal justice system more responsive and future-ready. A global perspective was offered by David Kaliolani Hasenritter, Director of Standards and Accreditation at the American Correctional Association, who lauded Bahrain's 'open prisons' as a benchmark for community reintegration. He commended the cohesive efforts of leadership and on-ground personnel in redefining reform not just through compliance, but through wholehearted adoption of rehabilitative ideals. Closing the session, Professor Sunita Toor, Head of Human Rights and Social Justice at the University of Sheffield, highlighted the five-year collaboration between her institute and Bahrain's General Directorate for Sentence Execution. She praised Bahrain's commitment to excellence beyond minimum standards, crafting a holistic reform system rooted in integrity and community transformation. Professor Toor emphasized that Bahrain's justice programs go beyond rehabilitation—they restore dignity and offer real pathways for reintegration. "Bahrain's experience has enriched global understanding of reformative justice,' she noted. As Bahrain continues to set regional and international benchmarks, this conference reaffirms the Kingdom's role as a trailblazer in modernizing justice with compassion, security, and innovation at its core.
