Cabinet Approves Draft Decree Amending the Nationality Law

The Cabinet approved, during its meeting held today under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, a draft decree-law amending certain provisions of Emiri Decree-Law No. 15 of 1959 on Kuwaiti Nationality. Article One of the aforementioned draft decree-law stipulates that “the following texts shall replace the text of Paragraph 4 of Article 14 and the text of Article 19 of Emiri Decree-Law No. 15 of 1959: Article 14: Paragraph 4 – If a person intentionally adds to his or another person’s nationality file any individual who is not his child or descendant, and this is established through an investigation conducted by the Supreme Committee for Determining Kuwaiti Nationality or by a final court judgment, the nationality of any of his children or descendants may be revoked once his knowledge of this is established. Article 19 – The Minister of Interior shall issue a Kuwaiti nationality certificate to any Kuwaiti after verifying its authenticity in accordance with the provisions of this law. This certificate shall be issued in electronic form, and the Minister shall issue a decision outlining the technical and procedural controls and requirements for issuing, storing, and using the electronic certificate, as well as the procedures for verifying its authenticity, revoking it, or suspending its validity.” Article Two of the draft decree-law further stipulates that “a new paragraph shall be added to the text of Article 7 of Emiri Decree-Law No. 15 of 1959, worded as follows: Article 7, new paragraph: A person who has acquired Kuwaiti nationality through naturalization shall not have the right to vote, stand for election, or be appointed to any legislative body.” Article Three of the draft decree-law states that “the electronic certificate provided for in this decree-law shall carry the same legal validity and effects as the paper nationality certificate, and shall replace the paper certificate in the application of laws, decrees, and regulations in force.” The Cabinet referred the draft decree-law to His Highness the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.