Latest news with #nationality
Japan Times
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Japan Times
'Stateless overnight': Kuwait strips tens of thousands of citizenship
Leaving her weekly workout class, Lama was shocked to discover she was no longer a Kuwaiti — one of tens of thousands of people, mostly women, suddenly stripped of citizenship. After her credit card payment for the class in Kuwait City was declined, she learnt her bank account was temporarily frozen because her nationality, acquired through marriage, had been revoked. "It was a shock," said the grandmother in her 50s, originally from Jordan, who like others interviewed asked to use a pseudonym, fearing a backlash from the authorities. "To be a law-abiding citizen for more than 20 years and then wake up one day to find out you're no longer a citizen ... that's not okay at all," she said. The mass revocations have been cast as part of a reformist agenda spearheaded by Kuwaiti emir Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, who dissolved parliament and suspended parts of the constitution five months after taking power in December 2023. His latest citizenship policy appears aimed at restricting nationality to those with blood ties to the tiny, oil-rich nation, reshaping Kuwaiti identity and potentially trimming its electorate after years of political crisis, analysts said. In a televised speech to the country of nearly 5 million — only a third of them Kuwaitis — the emir pledged in March to "deliver Kuwait to its original people clean and free from impurities." Lama is among more than 37,000 people, including at least 26,000 women, who have lost Kuwaiti nationality since August, according to a tally of official figures. Media reports suggest the real number could be much higher. While large-scale citizenship revocations are not unheard of in Kuwait, "the volume is definitely unprecedented," said Bader al-Saif, assistant professor of history at Kuwait University. Kuwait already has a big stateless community: the Bidoon, estimated at around 100,000 people, who were denied citizenship on independence from British protectorship in 1961. 'They went after mothers' The latest campaign abolishes naturalization by marriage, which only applied to women, and revokes citizenship granted to wives since 1987. Official data shows 38,505 women were naturalized by marriage from 1993 to 2020. It also targets people with dual nationality, which Kuwait does not allow, and those who became citizens fraudulently — by using forged documents, for example. Others naturalized for their achievements, including pop singer Nawal The Kuwaiti and actor Dawood Hussain, have also lost their citizenship. "Overnight, I became stateless," said businesswoman Amal, who had been Kuwaiti for nearly two decades. Many have been left in legal limbo while they scramble to restore their previous nationality. "The right to nationality is a very basic human right, and failure to respect and ensure it can wreak havoc on people's lives, as ... the Bidoon know all too well," said Amnesty International's Mansoureh Mills. Analysts say the latest drive has the question of Kuwaiti nationhood at its core. "I trace it to the notion of identity: Who are we as a nation?" said Saif. While Kuwait's parliament is a rarity in the monarchical Gulf, its tiered citizenship system limits political rights to those born to a Kuwaiti father. After Iraq's invasion in 1990, naturalized Kuwaitis were granted voting rights after 20 years of citizenship, as were children born after their father's naturalization. It was "a token of appreciation" for standing by Kuwait, Saif said, but also a "push for national unity after liberation." But Kuwait's new leadership has "an exclusionary vision of Kuwaiti nationalism," keeping out "people who lack deep roots there," said Giorgio Cafiero, CEO of Gulf State Analytics. For researcher Melissa Langworthy, who studied citizenship issues in the Gulf, naturalized women are "being told clearly that they are not the ideal reproducers of the nation." "They went after mothers, the heart of the family," lamented Lama, adding: "We are the mothers and grandmothers of the children of this country." 'Innocent women' Initially cast as a crackdown on fraudsters taking advantage of Kuwait's generous benefits, the move was welcomed in a country where many complain of corruption and mismanagement. But the mood quickly changed. A Kuwaiti man whose wife lost her citizenship said the government was equating "innocent women and fraudsters." His wife, a retired civil servant, had her pension suspended for more than six months and her bank loan frozen. "What kind of message are we conveying by inciting racism and treating them unfairly?" he said. Authorities have promised the women will be treated as Kuwaiti and keep their social benefits, but those hit by the campaign have lost any political rights. The emir cited constant standoffs between lawmakers and the royal-appointed cabinet when he dissolved the parliament, which had long delayed reforms needed to diversify the oil-reliant economy. "The Kuwaiti leadership is possibly seeking to reduce the citizen population in order to shape a smaller, more politically manageable electorate," said Cafiero.
Malay Mail
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Nationality is a right, not a favour, say women challenging Kuwait's citizenship crackdown
DUBAI, May 26 — Leaving her weekly workout class, Lama was shocked to discover she was no longer a Kuwaiti — one of tens of thousands of people, mostly women, suddenly stripped of citizenship. After her credit card payment for the class in Kuwait City was declined, she learnt her bank account was temporarily frozen because her nationality, acquired through marriage, had been revoked. 'It was a shock,' said the grandmother in her 50s, originally from Jordan, who like others interviewed by AFP asked to use a pseudonym, fearing a backlash from the authorities. 'To be a law-abiding citizen for more than 20 years and then wake up one day to find out you're no longer a citizen... that's not okay at all,' she said. The mass revocations have been cast as part of a reformist agenda spearheaded by Kuwaiti emir Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, who dissolved parliament and suspended parts of the constitution five months after taking power in December 2023. His latest citizenship policy appears aimed at restricting nationality to those with blood ties to the tiny, oil-rich nation, reshaping Kuwaiti identity and potentially trimming its electorate after years of political crisis, analysts told AFP. In a televised speech to the country of nearly five million — only a third of them Kuwaitis — the emir pledged in March to 'deliver Kuwait to its original people clean and free from impurities'. Lama is among more than 37,000 people including at least 26,000 women who have lost Kuwaiti nationality since August, according to an AFP tally of official figures. Media reports suggest the real number could be much higher. While large-scale citizenship revocations are not unheard of in Kuwait, 'the volume is definitely unprecedented', said Bader al-Saif, assistant professor of history at Kuwait University. Kuwait already has a big stateless community: the Bidoon, estimated at around 100,000 people, who were denied citizenship on independence from British protectorship in 1961. 'They went after mothers' The latest campaign abolishes naturalisation by marriage, which only applied to women, and revokes citizenship granted to wives since 1987. Official data shows 38,505 women were naturalised by marriage from 1993 to 2020. It also targets people with dual nationality, which Kuwait does not allow, and those who became citizens fraudulently — by using forged documents, for example. Others naturalised for their achievements, including pop singer Nawal The Kuwaiti and actor Dawood Hussain, have also lost their citizenship. 'Overnight, I became stateless,' businesswoman Amal, who had been Kuwaiti for nearly two decades, told AFP. Many have been left in legal limbo while they scramble to restore their previous nationality. 'The right to nationality is a very basic human right, and failure to respect and ensure it can wreak havoc on people's lives, as... the Bidoon know all too well,' Amnesty International's Mansoureh Mills told AFP. Analysts say the latest drive has the question of Kuwaiti nationhood at its core. 'I trace it to the notion of identity: who are we as a nation?' said Saif. While Kuwait's parliament is a rarity in the monarchical Gulf, its tiered citizenship system limits political rights to those born to a Kuwaiti father. After Iraq's invasion in 1990, naturalised Kuwaitis were granted voting rights after 20 years of citizenship, as were children born after their father's naturalisation. It was 'a token of appreciation' for standing by Kuwait, Saif said, but also a 'push for national unity after liberation'. But Kuwait's new leadership have 'an exclusionary vision of Kuwaiti nationalism', keeping out 'people who lack deep roots there', said Giorgio Cafiero, CEO of Gulf State Analytics. For researcher Melissa Langworthy, who studied citizenship issues in the Gulf, naturalised women are 'being told clearly that they are not the ideal reproducers of the nation'. 'They went after mothers, the heart of the family,' lamented Lama, adding: 'We are the mothers and grandmothers of the children of this country.' 'Innocent women' Initially cast as a crackdown on fraudsters taking advantage of Kuwait's generous benefits, the move was welcomed in a country where many complain of corruption and mismanagement. But the mood quickly changed. A Kuwaiti man whose wife lost her citizenship said the government was equating 'innocent women and fraudsters'. His wife, a retired civil servant, had her pension suspended for more than six months and her bank loan frozen. 'What kind of message are we conveying by inciting racism and treating them unfairly?' he said. Authorities have promised the women will be treated as Kuwaiti and keep their social benefits, but those hit by the campaign have lost any political rights. The emir cited constant standoffs between lawmakers and the royal-appointed cabinet when he dissolved the parliament, which had long delayed reforms needed to diversify the oil-reliant economy. 'The Kuwaiti leadership is possibly seeking to reduce the citizen population in order to shape a smaller, more politically manageable electorate,' said Cafiero. — AFP
South China Morning Post
23-05-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
The Ohio legislation that could force Chinese scientists to sell their US homes
Xiang Zhang, a professor of genomics at the University of Cincinnati, drove more than 1,000 miles over two days to oppose a proposed law that would force him to sell his home, even though he is a US permanent resident. 'I never thought that one day, I would have to stand here in front of you to defend myself solely because of my nationality,' he told a packed hearing room in the Ohio Statehouse on Tuesday morning, after cutting short a trip to make it back and give his testimony. 'I never thought that one day, I would lose my house in Ohio solely because of my nationality.' Zhang – who arrived in the US in 1998 with just a suitcase and a US$100 bill, and now leads a major research facility that supports hundreds of life scientists across the country – told Public Safety Committee lawmakers that he had been living his American dream. The midwestern state is following in the footsteps of Florida and Texas by proposing legislation to ban non-citizens from 'foreign adversary' countries – such as China, Iran, and Russia – from owning land within 25 miles (40km) of critical infrastructure. House Bill 1, which is supposed to address national security concerns like espionage and cyberattacks, would apply even to green card holders like Zhang. Under SB 88, a related Senate bill, he would be required to sell his house within two years.
The Guardian
19-05-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Needless controversy over foreign-born Lions players ramps up pressure
For the class of 2017 it was the Geography Six and for the current crop, it may prove to be the Southern Hemisphere Seven. Andy Farrell's squad announcement was low on controversy, on glaring omissions or shock inclusions, and even the Owen issue was dealt with diplomatically. In the days since, however, provenance has been raised as a problem. Farrell selected in his squad three players born in New Zealand, two in Australia and two in South Africa. Willie John McBride – a legend of five Lions tours – is apparently 'bothered' by it and is not alone in expressing concerns at the number of foreign-born players in the 38-man squad. All seven are, of course, entirely eligible. Mack Hansen and Sione Tuipulotu were born in Australia but qualified for Ireland and Scotland respectively via a parent or grandparent. Bundee Aki, Jamison Gibson-Park, James Lowe, Pierre Schoeman and Duhan van der Merwe all qualified on residency grounds. For the record, Marcus Smith was born in Manila and Joe McCarthy in Manhattan while Huw Jones was born in Leith, moved to the south of England as a child and spent his formative rugby years in South Africa. In short, nationality is a complex issue and each player has had their own journey towards a seat on the plane to Australia. Tuipulotu admits he 'didn't grow up dreaming of playing for Scotland or the Lions, that's the truth,' before adding: 'But this is where my path has led me.' He speaks of feeling the need to prove his allegiance and Lowe agrees. 'Obviously when you don't have the blood running through your veins, there is a little bit of that.' The merits of the residency rule have long since been debated and, when World Rugby extended the qualification period from three years to five, it felt like the admission of a loophole needing to be closed, or at least tightened. Certainly, the proliferation of 'project players' has dried up since then. That Farrell's selections have provoked criticism now should be met with unease, however. Hansen was the last of the seven players to make his Test debut three years ago and it is sanctimonious to suggest players with more than 300 Test appearances between them are not befitting of the precious red jersey. 'When I play rugby, I play better when there is a chip on my shoulder anyway,' says Tuipulotu. 'I've been nothing but embraced by the Scottish public since I've been playing for Scotland. There are always going to be a couple of people like there are for some of the Irish boys, but I take that in my stride because I don't blame those people, either. I'm looking forward to showing how committed I am to playing for the Lions with how I play and I can't wait to get over there.' After making his comeback from a long-term pectoral injury last weekend, Tuipulotu is the frontrunner for the Test No 12 jersey in Australia. Before injury struck, he captained Scotland against the Wallabies last autumn and his grandmother, Jaqueline, flew over from Australia to take her place in the Murrayfield crowd. 'In those early days, just to be completely transparent, you have that feeling of: 'Am I part of this?'' Tuipulotu says. 'When my gran came over before the Australia game, it allowed the public to put a face to the story, listen to how much it meant to her. I think that gave eyes to the public that my story is authentic.' Sign up to The Breakdown The latest rugby union news and analysis, plus all the week's action reviewed after newsletter promotion The sleepless nights brought on by fears that his injury might cost Tuipulotu his place in the Lions squad only highlight his determination to prove himself this summer. 'I think it was just the fact it was my pec,' he says. 'If you had asked me what the first big injury of my career [would be], I'd say my ankle or my knee but the fact that it was my boob just didn't make any sense to me. 'I just felt it was over for me and I put so much on myself that I really wanted to be a Lion because I know how much it means to people over here.' Lowe, meanwhile, is set to join the select band of players who have played for and against the Lions. In 2017 he lined up at full-back as the Maori All Blacks were well beaten by Gatland's tourists in Rotorua. 'I think everyone would admit that was their first actual Test match, the first one they properly turned up for,' Lowe says. 'It was an introduction into what it actually meant to the boys playing for the Lions and a level of intensity that was unmatched. 'When I was first selected for Ireland, all the people come out of the woodwork saying: 'How is this person representing Ireland?' But the rules are there. We've all done our time. I am fully embedded in the culture of Ireland. Sione's captained Scotland. You don't have to question where his allegiance lies. My old man walks around in an Ireland jersey and a Leinster jumper. 'Everyone's got a different story, my story just didn't start in Ireland. But I can see it ending in Ireland. My two kids were born in Ireland. My wife and I are super happy with everything Ireland has given us and we don't see ourselves moving.'
Japan Times
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Japan Times
Japan to recognize Taiwan as place of origin in family registration system
Starting May 26, individuals from Taiwan will be allowed to list "Taiwan," rather than "China," as their place of origin in Japan's family registration system. The change comes under a revised Justice Ministry ordinance. The revision updates the nationality field in the family register to a country or region of origin field, allowing for greater flexibility in self-identification. China, which regards Taiwan as an integral part of its territory, has protested the revision. By contrast, residents of Taiwanese descent in Japan and their support groups have welcomed the change. More than 75 years have passed since the People's Republic of China and Taiwan, formally the Republic of China, split in 1949 following the Chinese civil war. Since normalizing diplomatic relations with Beijing in 1972, Japan has maintained unofficial ties with Taiwan, which it no longer recognizes diplomatically. Until now, Japan has required individuals from Taiwan acquiring Japanese nationality or marrying Japanese citizens to list "China" in the nationality field of their family registers. This practice is believed to be based on a directive issued in 1964 by the then director-general of the Justice Ministry's Civil Affairs Bureau. As of the end of June last year, Japan was home to more than 67,000 residents of Taiwanese ancestry. Many had been calling for "Taiwan" to be recognized as their place of origin in their family register entries, reflecting a growing sense of Taiwanese identity. A public opinion poll conducted in Taiwan found that over 60% of respondents identified themselves as Taiwanese rather than Chinese. When individuals from Taiwan who died in Japan were buried in their hometowns on the self-governing island, the process was often complicated because "China" was listed as their place of origin in their Japanese family register entries. Masataka Yuhara, secretary-general of the Friends of Lee Teng Hui Association in Japan, an organization that promotes Japan-Taiwan exchanges, said, "Japan's family register issue involved both human rights concerns and real-world consequences." Established in 2002, the association is named after former Taiwanese President Lee Teng-hui. It has actively supported efforts to replace "China" with "Taiwan" in official Japanese contexts, aligning with a broader name rectification campaign on the island. One of its earliest initiatives was to request a revision of the nationality field on Japan's certificate of alien registration. The group launched street signature campaigns to facilitate the change. When the certificate was replaced by a residence card under the revised immigration control and refugee recognition law in 2012, a "nationality/region" field was introduced. The association submitted more than 40,000 signatures to the justice minister calling for "Taiwan" to be allowed as the place of origin in family registers. The revision of the ministry ordinance this time coincided with a computer system upgrade to accommodate the newly mandated inclusion of phonetic readings of personal names in the family register. In addition to lobbying by the Taiwanese authorities, the nonpartisan Japan-Taiwan lawmakers' consultative council, chaired by Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker Keiji Furuya, is believed to have played a role in pushing for the revision. With the association's long-standing goal now set to be realized, Yuhara said: "It was beyond the reach of a private-sector (movement). I'm relieved that our efforts have finally been acknowledged." Zhao Zhong-zheng, an 81-year-old Taiwanese resident in Japan who moved to the country with his parents, said, "I thought (this revision) wouldn't be achieved for another five or 10 years." "Everyone around me is extremely happy. As a Taiwanese, I want to express my gratitude," he added with a wide smile. In China, Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, criticized Japan for allowing "Taiwan" to be listed as the place of origin in the family register, calling the move an "interference in domestic affairs" of China. In response, Justice Minister Keisuke Suzuki rebutted the criticism at a news conference, saying, "(The family register system) is a domestic policy decision by Japan."
