"Draft laws ready to resolve the bedoon issue"

Every few years, the parliament makes a statement about naturalizing 4000 stateless (no-nationality people - many of whom have been born in Kuwait or have generations of family members born in Kuwait for as long as the the country has been an official country).  They're called, "Bedoon" meaning "without" in Arabic - a shorter version of "bedoon jinseeya" or "without nationality." Not to be confused with Bedouin.

Anyways, today's Kuwait Times:

Such BS.  They bring it up  They drop it.  I was particularly chuffed about the idea to give all Bedoon citizenship to the Comoros Islands nation.  (Yeah....ok.....)

Amazon sells a very good book called, " Kuwait: The Bedoons of Kuwait "Citizens Without Citizenship" It was written by a group of people from Human Rights Watch.  The book (written in 1995) also mentions the governments "plans" to naturalize 4000 Bedoons per year. How many have actually been naturalized since then?

(I don't know who came up with the original plan for 4,000... why not 5,000?  Who knows.)

But don't take my word for it:   Plenty of objective organizations have come to Kuwait to document the issue.  Like Refugees International and others.

I will get comments from people saying that Bedoon are all Iraqis who came here seeking a better life (in their words "trying to get money") during or following the invasion.  "What do you know?  You're just a foreigner!?"  'Yo homey, what do you know,  you're just 26.'  I will happily delete those comments from youngsters who have a one-sided view and should read more/listen less in their diwaniya or from bigots who infect more bigots.

Let the entire country of Kuwait do the DNA test!  DO IT.  Find out where you're all really from!  I dare ya.  23andme can tell you for $99.  And Kuwait being a port for centuries, I'm guessing it's not going to all be what you thought.

I also urge foreign embassy workers to look into this issue.  Don't take the word/perspective of one group of people - educate yourselves.  Maybe even talk to some Bedoon people and learn first-hand of their experiences.

Kuwaiti Bedoons (No-Nationality) now to become African???

Wikipedia:  The Comoro Islands or Comoros form an archipelago of volcanic islands situated off the south-east coast of Africa, to the east of Mozambique and north-west of Madagascar.

So now my Bedoon friends (friends who have NO nationality and are not able to obtain birth certificates for their children)  are now African?  What does their culture, their history, their decent have to do with Comoros?  Nothing.  They're Arab.  Many have proven DNA links to Kuwaiti family members.  

WTF.  I woke up in a foul mood mood this morning and it now just got 1,000 times worse.  This is yet another ridiculous ploy to cover up the Bedoon issue.  Grant those deserving citizenship!

There was a scheme years ago in the 1980's - a deal that some lawmaker set up where Bedoon were supposed to go to an office and apply for citizenship.  Turned out to be to another African country.  Some were duped into believing that it would be beneficial... until countries like the UK denied entry visas for visitors (and other reasons) and stated that the passports were illegal and had been "purchased."  Benifits to Bedoon?  ZERO.

Who is making money off these deals?

So what are they going to do - round up the Bedoon, put them on trucks and force them to go to the NEW Comoro Islands embassy for processing?

I HATE this....

MP Hits ‘Comoros’ Bid To Paper-Over Bedoun Issue

Lawmaker Warns Government Would Collapse

KUWAIT CITY, Nov 9: Director of Citizenship Department Major General Mazen Al-Jarrah’s call to send Bedouns to Comoro Islands is a very serious issue, says MP Faisal Al-Duwaisan. The lawmaker warned that if this plan is implemented, it will lead to bitter repercussions such as the collapse of the entire government. He pointed out Al-Jarrah’s statement seems to confirm that the government was lying when it said majority of Bedouns have other nationalities, so they should be considered illegal immigrants. He argued if the government’s claim is true, it would have repatriated these people rather than sending them to Comoros.

The stateless people would be granted “special applications for Comoros’ economic citizenship,” al-Jarrah told Al-Jarida daily. Those who accept the offer would be given free residence permits in Kuwait, in addition to a series of incentives like free education and healthcare and the right to employment, Jarrah was quoted as saying.  (Don't believe the hype, I'm just sayin...)

The process would start as soon as an embassy for Comoros is opened in Kuwait in the coming months. More than 110,000 stateless people were born and raised in Kuwait and claim the right to citizenship in the country.

The Kuwaiti government, which describes them as illegal residents, says only 34,000 qualify for consideration for citizenship. The rest are considered natives of other countries who either emigrated to Kuwait after the discovery of oil five decades ago or were born to these migrants. In the past three years, Bedouns have held demonstrations to demand citizenship and other basic rights, and police have dispersed them using force, arresting hundreds who are on trial for illegal protests and assaulting police.

A Kuwaiti lawmaker in April proposed to send stateless people convicted of breaching public security and protesting to a camp he suggested should be built in the desert. Comoros is an archipelago state located off eastern Africa and is a member of the Arab League. Al-Duwaisan stressed the need for a stronglyworded response from the lawmakers to Al- Jarrah, including forwarding questions to HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak to know if the Central System for Remedying the Status of Illegal Residents (CSRSIR) is affiliated to the Cabinet or the Ministry of Interior.

He also wants to know the truth about the alleged plan to send Bedouns to Comoro Islands, date of drafting this plan, body which met officials of Comoros to discuss the issue, details of the agreement between the parties if any, legality of such action and whether it is in line with international treaties or not. He asked if Al-Jarrah made the call as an official in charge of the issue although the CSRSIR has been tasked to address the problems of Bedouns.

He alleged the Bedoon issue is not part of the priorities of the current Parliament, accusing some people of using the issue to gain popularity and to serve electoral interests. He intends to present questions to the prime minister and minister of interior in this regard. He and other MPs will soon discuss the possibility of requesting for the formation of an investigative committee or submit a grilling request on this issue. He then urged his fellow MPs in the Human Rights Committee to prioritize the issue if they are really keen on protecting human rights and rejecting injustice.

---

Other Stories:

Kuwait Times, Govt to Offer Bedoons Comoros Citizenship - MP Slams Move, Says Lawmakers were Misled


Ok, but because I am "cheeky," I have started sending requests to my Bedoon friends to invite me to "their country" to do some fishing and relax next to the sea (that is, of course, if there is no coup attempt that week...)

One of the Comoros Islands

Sorry, but I can't imagine a bunch of Bedoon guys dropped off on a tropical island. That would be like "Dr. Samhan" in reverse.  They would probably immediately open a sheesha cafe. And where would you buy banak?  Eeek.

Negative PR: Kuwait's Recent Proposals - FAIL

This guy is my favorite person today!

I can't believe puppeteer, MP Nabeel Al-Fadhl, had the audacity to even get the Bedoon proposal out of his mouth...  My blood boiled...

Two Racist Proposals

By Dr Hassan Abbas — Translated by Kuwait Times from Al-Rai

Kuwait Times, 23 April 2014

No one can blame lawmakers for acting towards the benefit of citizens and the nation. But at the same time, that does not give them the right to practice discrimination against others. Last week saw two projects proposed by MPs that can be classified as discriminatory. The first proposes that the government set up camps on the borders where bedoons who create chaos through demonstrations can be banished to, and the second calls for removing subsidies from energy consumed by expatriates.

MP Nabeel Al-Fadhl’s proposal to banish bedoon ‘troublemakers’ to border camps reminds me of the Nazi concentration camps when it comes to the racist sentiment behind it. What else is left for bedoons other than protests? If they remain silent, their decades-old miserable situation will continue for years to come. And when they call for help, they are threatened with banishment to Kuwait’s version of the Auschwitz-Birkenau camp! The bedoons’ dilemma is divided into two parts: One part includes those who are either Kuwaitis but are still waiting to be recognized as such, or those who have no hope of being naturalized.

My question is this: How does Fadhl plan to deal with bedoons who are soon to become Kuwaitis? How is he going to justify banishing them from their own country? And with regards to the second part, does nationality justify humiliating people? Protesters can either be peaceful demonstrators, in which case they should be left alone, or lawbreakers in which case they are put on trial and jailed by court orders if found guilty.

Now we move to the proposal of lifting subsidies, or as I call it, a group of laws meant to create restrictions on foreigners. I do not understand the meaning of this suggestion. I was confused by MPs’ statements who sometimes say that removing subsidies on fuel helps reduce traffic, and other times they say that this decision would save Kuwait almost KD 1.5 billion annually.

Which is the right justification? Regardless of the answer to that question, I do not understand why we expect that foreigners are always the problem.

I know that Kuwait has a large expatriate population, but who said that they are reason behind traffic jams and money wastage? Waste of public funds is a result of greedy companies and visa traffickers who brought poor people from the ends of the world, which adds pressure on public services and damages Kuwait’s international image in the process.

Let us put traffic jams aside and focus on the economy and waste. When Kuwaitis put their houses for rent, isn’t that a cause of waste? When Kuwaitis sell their subsidized food, isn’t that a cause of waste? When Kuwaitis are paid handsomely to stay at home while leaving work for foreigners to do, isn’t that a cause of waste? Isn’t weak management a cause of waste? When senior posts are monopolized, when administrative development is frozen because of outdated mindsets, isn’t that a cause of waste? Isn’t treatment abroad a cause of waste? Aren’t the failed multibillion deals a cause of waste? If all those are reasons for wastage of public funds, then why are MPs encouraged to take action only against expatriates?!

- - - End

In my personal experience, usually when BS proposals like this are spun, it is usually to hide something larger that is really taking place in the country.  Hmmmm.... what could THAT be?  2 newspapers were recently suspended for talking about it....

Two Kuwaiti Bedoun Brothers Fail in Attempt to Seek Political Asylum in Ireland

Unfortunately, many Bedoun people resort to trying to gain political asylum illegally in other countries; only to be returned to Kuwait and sent to the deportation center (prison) for an indefinite period of time.  These guys below are in for a very difficult ride and I feel very sorry for their family (especially as they are brothers).

They’ll be included on a blacklist so they get even less rights than others.  Why?  As punishment for embarrassing the country, of course, in front of international media!  Shame on them! 

Their family may also face problems with any official tasks, or may even have their (temporary Bedoun) travel documents confiscated. 

I was asked recently (by 2 bedoun brothers, ironically) if this was the way out for them:   going anywhere and then ripping up their passports and claiming asylum.  No!  This is what happens! If you are even going to try something like this, contact an immigration lawyer in the country where you are headed; often there are offices which will help people "pro bono" (free).

Kuwait Times, 17 April 2013

Ireland deports bedoons who tore own passports

KUWAIT: Two bedoon brothers were taken to the Criminal Investigations Department after returning to Kuwait from Ireland where they reportedly headed to seek political asylum. The men tore their article 17 Kuwaiti passports and demanded asylum on the basis that they were subjected to persecution in Kuwait, according to the Irish authorities’ report. The two claimed they had lost their passports, but Irish police took reports of eyewitnesses who said that they saw them tearing their documents. The two were put back on a plane that had brought them from the United Arab Emirates where they had transited after a flight from Kuwait. They arrived at the Kuwait International Airport Tuesday and taken in police’s custody for questioning. A letter was sent to the General Department for Citizenship and Passports in the meantime containing a recommendation to include the two brothers on the blacklist of bedoons not allowed to obtain temporary passports for emergency travel.

I am sharing a very interesting article on the recent events in Kuwait within the Bedoun community.  Alakhbar is a Lebanon-based newspaper and reports on

Kuwait: Security crackdown on Bedoon community renews tensions

Click here for link

The article is too long to re-post, however it is a good read.  We often do not hear about what is happening within Kuwait in Kuwaiti media.  

My prayers go out to those going through this ordeal.  I wish they would just solve it.

Refugees International Report on Kuwait Stateless

Refugees International Report on Kuwait Stateless

This is a cut/paste repost from Refugees International Blog
Article by Sarnata Reynolds
LINK

On March 2, a 14-year-old boy named Ali Habib was put in a Kuwaiti jail and charged with disturbing the peace. He had been arrested while participating in a peaceful demonstration for the right to citizenship, one of many in a decades-long movement demanding that Kuwait’s stateless people, called the bedoon, be recognized as citizens. 

After two days Ali was released, but eight other stateless activists remain in jail on trumped-up charges including participating in an “illegal gathering” and “damaging police property.”

For the last three years, peaceful gatherings in support of the right to nationality have been met with rubber bullets, tear gas, sound bombs, beatings, and detentions. And yet the protests continue. In response, some elected officials have taken up the cause, and in March 2013, Kuwait’s parliament passed a law that would grant citizenship to 4,000 “foreigners” – although it has not been implemented.

In April 2013, activists held the first international conference on statelessness in Kuwait, which led to the formation of a National Committee on the issue and a four-year plan for the realization of citizenship rights. Despite an attempt by the government to shut down the conference, it was attended by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, foreign diplomats (including from the U.S. and UK), and non-governmental organizations including Refugees International. Just last month, the U.S. government officially and publicly documented the mistreatment and exclusion of the bedoon in its annual report on human rights, with the UK having previously documented their persecution.

The movement for citizenship rights in Kuwait is undeniable and growing. The bedoon are not going anywhere, their supporters are steadfast, and the international community is increasingly calling for recognition of their human rights.

While the Kuwaiti government has the authority to determine who makes up its citizenry, it does not have the privilege of rendering people stateless. Therefore, a just and transparent procedure should be approved that both protects every person’s right to a nationality and honors the government’s power to impose fair criteria for citizenship. Granting citizenship to Kuwait’s longstanding, multi-generational and loyal residents is both the right thing to do, and inevitable.

To get there, the Kuwaiti government should immediately recognize and document the Kuwaiti citizenship of all individuals and families with relevant links to the nation, including birth on the state’s territory, descent, marriage, or habitual residence.

Until their nationality claims can be resolved, the government should: protect the human rights of all stateless people, including the right to liberty, assembly, education, healthcare, and due process before the law; file a court complaint if a person’s citizenship is under suspicion, provide conclusive proof of their foreign nationality, and protect the right to due process; and incorporate stateless Kuwaitis into all aspects of public life, including public schools, residences and employment.

Among the more than 100,000 stateless people in Kuwait are the spouses and children of Kuwaiti citizens, veterans and police officers, hospital technicians, taxi drivers, poets, and little boys like Ali. They know no other country and identify themselves with the people, culture, and history of Kuwait. They may currently be without citizenship, but they are not without rights. They must be respected 

- See more at: http://refugeesinternational.org/blog/kuwaits-stateless-not-giving-fight#sthash.DYFAyPl2.gl71akGe.dpuf

Kuwaiti Stateless Issue being "studied" again - OMG!

"Stateless" or "Bedoun/Bidoon" refers to those in Kuwait who have NO nationality.  No passports.  No identity.  How can that be, you ask?  There are several countries in the world with this issue.  Kuwait is a prime example.

Imagine you can't get a credit card.  A car, a phone, or a home in your name.  You can't travel because you don't have a passport.  It is up to a government to determine if you may/may not get birth, marriage, and death certificates.  How do you live?  How do your children live? Children can't get public education because they have no nationality. How will they go to private schools if there is no money to pay for them?  What about health care?    With the number of Stateless Kuwaitis increasing by birth every year, isn't this a national crisis? THINK!

Arab Times
24 March 2014

‘Steps Under Way To Solve Problems Of Illegal Expats’

2,000 Out Of 90,000 Rectify Residential Status

 KUWAIT CITY, March 23: Around 2,000 expatriates facing residency-related problems have rectified their status as per the instruction of Assistant Undersecretary for Citizenship and Passports Affairs Major General Sheikh Faisal Al-Nawaf to ease procedures for these people, reports Alam Al- Yawm daily quoting sources.

Sources confirmed the directive of the assistant undersecretary was implemented after he conducted a study on the issue and submitted results to the interior minister as part of a purely humanitarian security plan to correct the status of nearly 90,000 foreigners staying illegally in the country.

Sources said other studies are currently being conducted to gradually fix the problem - a step which needs time, intensified efforts and governmental support.

---

I had to re-read the "article" above several times because the writing is so God-awful that I missed the point the first 20 times I read it, but I understand the overall point. Perhaps it sounds better in Arabic, before the Google translation?

I have so many comments about this that I don't even know where to begin.  First, gradual BS "studies" have been going on for decades.  They study.  They talk.  They have tea.  They study some more.  They talk some more.  NOTHING happens.  Bidoon (which means "without" - NOT "Illegal") people who have the right to Kuwaiti nationality are still waiting and being treated terribly by just about everyone.  (And before I get any bullshit from the peanut gallery:   by saying "People who have the right" - I mean the ones who can prove that they were here before the 1964 census, have documentation, and have DNA directly linking them to their KUWAITI family members.)

They said they would naturalize 4000 Bedoun per year.  I forget what year that was, but it was years ago and no movement has been made, but "studies."  

Meanwhile, my friends like AHE,  who served in the Kuwait military for 40 (FORTY) years, representing Kuwait as a competition sharp-shooter around the world, still doesn't have nationality; nor do any of his children.  Their home is in someone else's name.  Their cars are in other people's names.  The sons get less salary than anyone else in the same job category and they are perceived as "non-Kuwaitis".  WTF.  The man is a prouder Kuwaiti than most 1st nationality category (there are 17 levels I believe) Kuwaitis that I have ever met.   (17 levels of citizenship, and yet everyone in the country talks about "national unity".  Funny that.) 

The same with HS.  He's been in the Kuwaiti police force for decades, serving his country.  He has all the necessary documentation and he still can't get anyone to even listen to him.  He, like others, hates to go to the governments bedoun agencies because they are treated worse than cattle; they are degraded and humiliated.

Sidebar:   hearing, "Ana usli Kuwaiti" ("original Kuwaiti") takes you down many levels with me (insert expletive starting with "a" here).   WHO is "original"?  People have asked me if I'm, "usli Amreekia" before. Ha.  That's funny.  WTF is that?! 

I've been requested to ask for help from my friends in "higher places."  I want to, but I see the looks on their faces when I even mention the Bedoun. They don't even want to hear it.   Then, the insults and slurs start. I feel awful and humiliated just for bringing up the subject.  The conversations never get far enough for me to provide specific details.    It hurts my feelings to hear how people I consider friends feel about those who I love and are suffering.  They know me better than to say, "You don't understand the complexity of the problem.  You're a foreigner."  No - I've heard that from people (and people commenting here) who DON'T know me.  I know the issues, all the complexities; and I also know people facing serious humanitarian issues in their lives here and now.

Don't make it about the politics; make it about the people.  

NATURALIZE THOSE WHO DESERVE CITIZENSHIP!

13 Year Old Arrested and Later Freed for Participating in Bedoun Demonstrations

Arab Times, 6 March 2014

13-year-old freed on bail: The Juvenile Public Prosecution released a 13-year-old Bedoun, identified as Ali Al-Habib, on KD 200 bail after listening to the statements of the officers in charge of the case. Case files indicate the teenager was arrested for participating in the recent Bedoun demonstrations.  Sources revealed he cried in front of the prosecutor, saying he was not aware of the purpose of the demonstration.

Bedoon/Stateless Charity Organizations in Kuwait?

Does anyone know of any charity organizations (in Kuwait or outside) that provide assistance to the Bedoon/Stateless people in Kuwait? For example, donations for scholarships, schools, tuition, home assistance (food, furniture, etc), for Bedoon children, legal fees, etc? Please pass this along and help me answer this question as it is a humanitarian effort and important for companies (CSR) and individuals to become involved with. 

I have a list of the Bedoon rights groups, but I'm not coming up with anything for charity and I'm being asked by caring individuals.

Don't make it about the politics.  Make it about the people.

This is Taima, Kuwait (yes, this is Kuwait), where many Bedoon people live.  They are basically squatters (for decades) and the government can make the determination at any time to bulldoze the area (there have been discussions over the years about "relocating" the Bedoon in Taima, but to where?)

Thank you MP Talal Al-Jalal

Call To Naturalize Deserving Bedoun

‘End Long-Term Suffering’

Arab Times, 2 September 2013:  KUWAIT CITY, Sept 1: MP Talal Al-Jalal is calling for government to expedite procedures to resolve the Bedoun issue, in order to end their suffering. He said the category has been neglected for a long period, even though government admits that 34,000 of them deserve naturalization. In a press statement, Al- Jalal implored government to approve the naturalization files of Bedoun military personnel and the sons of martyrs, employees in oil sector who fulfill all necessary conditions and those included in the census of 1965. “My colleagues and I during the next parliamentary session will endeavor to vote for activation of law to grant some 4,000 Bedouns the citizenship.

He added the category is also part of Kuwaiti society who made great sacrifice for the country. He is surprised that government keeps neglecting and suspending their issue. (DG:  So are the rest of us!!!)  He called for those who don’t deserve the citizenship to be given all necessary social services, so as to live like humans-as stated in the Constitution.

The lawmaker blames government for neglecting the Bedoun issue, stressing the situation went out of hand and became difficult to solve. He pointed to the process of recruiting Bedoun in governmental agencies and said they are prevented from taking jobs to obtain their full rights, adding that recent rumors saying Bedouns have all necessary facilities are false. Al-Jalal stressed the solution to Bedoun issue depends on application of law and not their eligibility for naturalization, adding the law guarantees their right for citizenship so government only needs to apply law “as we can not accept their current situation”.

Thank You, MP Al-Enezi

Arab Times

MP Askar Al-Enezi has forwarded parliamentary questions to State Minister for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Mohammed Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah on the government’s failure to implement the law on the naturalization of 4,000 Bedouns this year.   He said the annulled December 2012 Parliament ratified the law on March 20, 2013 and it was published in the official gazette on April 7, 2013. He added the government has yet to naturalize deserving Bedouns even if four months had passed since the publication of the law.  He accused the government of disregarding the people’s will, which is represented by the MPs who passed the law to alleviate the suffering of Bedouns.

Just re-posting the posts.  Worth a look

People ‘without’ — In Pictures

By American Girl On June 19, 2013 · Add Comment

This morning I found this post on Mark’s blog over at 248am and had to share it.

The pictures were taken by renowned Photographer Greg Constantine who started working on his project ‘Nowhere People’ in 2005. The series currently featured at Aljazeera.com focuses on the Stateless (bidoon) of Kuwait. I’m hoping the brilliant work by Greg will help to bring more international attention to their cause and the gross violation of human rights.

"I am Kuwaiti"

Mona Kareem forwarded a tweet on the Bedoon (stateless) community of Kuwait containing a link to a VERY good article by Sebastian Kohn from Open Society Foundations.org on the subject.  Mr. Kohn is a good writer and I enjoyed reading his article.

You can read the full article HERE.

Excerpt:

"You've had a lot of experience photographing stateless populations—including the Nubians in Kenya and the Rohingya in Burma. What were your first impressions of Kuwait and of the bidoon community?

The first thing that struck me was just the huge disparity between the Kuwaitis and the bidoon. The Kuwaiti government provides social and financial benefits to its citizens that are unlike anything I have seen before—enormous housing benefits, health benefits, almost assured employment, free education, and financial benefits for being married and for having children that would dwarf the incomes of a huge percentage of people in developing countries around the world. In Kuwait citizenship is clearly more than the right to have rights—to have a passport and be recognized and so on. It is an open door to a secure future for you and your family.

The bidoon are cut off from all of this. They live in slum-like settlements on the outskirts of urban areas. They're denied access to birth certificates and somewhere between 90,000 and 180,000 people are refused access to essential services, including health care and public education.

When you speak with them, you hear about the history that many of the families have in Kuwait, many of which pre-date Kuwait’s independence, and very quickly you see these stark differences and inequalities—inequalities that have been created and perpetuated by the state. You hear how, since the mid-1980s, the bidoon community has been almost completely excluded from Kuwait’s elite—be it political, professional, military, etc. The word “bidoon” in Arabic means “without” and it's an apt description of their situation."

---

When I first came to Kuwait and for many years after, NO ONE would publicly discuss the subject of statelessness in Kuwait; especially the Bedoun themselves, for fear of repercussions.  Now, they are speaking up and people are listening.  Articles, like this one, are popping up around the globe discussing the issue.

When a person loses hope, he loses everything.   I believe that the Bedoun issue is a ticking time bomb.  Crime is on the rise and the situation seems to be worsening instead of getting better.    I sincerely hope that the Government resolves this situation.

Crackdown on Bedoun Activists

Stop, children what's that sound?  Everybody look what's goin' down....

Disclaimer:  The below is a re-post of previously published information available to the public through any quick internet search or via Twitter.

Crackdown on Bedoun Activists  LINK

Arab Times

KUWAIT CITY, Oct 9, (Agencies): Police in Kuwait have arrested seven leading stateless activists for “instigating” demonstrations and are hunting for eight more in a clampdown aimed at preventing protests, a rights official said on Tuesday.

Among those detained was the head of the Kuwaiti Bedouns (stateless) Committee, Ahmad Al-Tameemi and his assistant Ali Al-Enezi, the director of the Kuwait Society for Human Rights, Mohammad Al-Humaidi, told AFP.

Twenty-three stateless protesters including five teenagers were arrested on October 2 during a demonstration, said Humaidi.

“Today, the public attorney freed the five teenagers on $715 bail (550 euros) each pending trial. They are between 14 and 16 years old,” said Humaidi, adding that the youths were interrogated on charges of illegal assembly.

The remaining 18 adults, including a Kuwaiti activist, are still in detention facing similar charges, he said.

Police used tear-gas and smoke bombs to disperse the stateless demonstrators who were demanding citizenship and other basic rights, injuring at least three people.

Around 200 stateless men, arrested in previous demonstrations since Bedouns began staging protests in February 2011, are facing trial for illegal assembly, assaulting police and resisting arrest.
Some have been acquitted by the lower court while others still await verdicts.

Authorities in Kuwait insist that non-Kuwaitis living in the country have no right to protest, unlike the 1.2 million citizens.

Bedouns, who number more than 105,000, claim they have the right to Kuwaiti citizenship, but the government says only 34,000 qualify for consideration, arguing that the rest hold citizenship of other countries.

Kuwait has launched a campaign against Bedouns to force them to prove their original identity, depriving them of many basic rights despite criticism by international human rights groups.

Kuwait has long alleged that Bedouns, and in some cases their ancestors, destroyed their original passports to claim the right to citizenship in order to gain access to the state-provided services and benefits.

In an attempt to force the Bedouns to produce their original nationality papers, Kuwait has refused to issue essential documents to most of them, including birth, marriage and death certificates.

Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports said that in response to a call by John Moore (Twitter @JohnFMoore), a member of American congress, several Bedouns organized a rally on Al-Najashi Street since securitymen banned them from gathering in Taima Yard.

Reportedly, John Moore had encouraged the Bedouns through Twitter two days back to demonstrate and demand Kuwaiti government to grant them their rights as Kuwaiti citizens.

---

If you are on Twitter, there is a HELL of a lot of activity on the Bedoun cause and what is happening NOW in Taima, Jahra (Northern Kuwait) to the Bedoun.  This is your neighborhood.  Get educated on local current events.  You won't always read about it in the newspaper.

This is a post of an AI bulletin re-tweeted by Mr. Moore.

Other Information:



Amnesty International Kuwait Report

Amnesty International Kuwait Human Rights

Kuwait Police Clamp Down on Stateless Activists (Alakhbar English)

Kuwait:  Shotgun Used Against Stateless Protesters (Global Voices)

Twitter:

#FreeStatelessInKuwait

@BedoonRights

@globalvoices

@monakareem

@MARYAMALKHAWAJA

"Illegal Residents"

Stop defending and start resolving!.  I'm glad to see the UN has taken this up;  It's done now unless they want the shun of the international community.

Kuwait defends label of ‘illegal residents’ at UN Al-Nasser presents report to ERD panel

Arab Times

19 February 2012

GENEVA, Feb 17, (KUNA): Kuwait defended the label of “illegal residents” to describe those who are not citizens and do not have a valid residency permit to reside in the contry, at the United Nations on Friday.

The Kuwaiti law of foreigners stay No. 17 of 1959 does not give foreigners the right of permanent stay in Kuwait without a valid visa and passport, Eman Abdullatif Al-Nasser, head of the technical office at the central committee for addressing the status of illegal residents in Kuwait, said while presenting Kuwait’s periodical report to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (ERD).

She added this label was given to those who enter the country by illegal means or those who fail to renew their visas because they are hiding their passports or official documents.

Al-Nasser explained that those people came to Kuwait for work, but after witnessing the advantages given by the state to citizens, concealed their passports and claimed to be indigenous people in order to gain the Kuwaiti nationality.

She pointed out that the number of illegal residents before the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990 amounted to 220,000, but this figure dropped to 117, 000 in 1992 as thousands returned voluntarily to their original countries.

Refuted

Al-Nasser also refuted claims that these people are of tribal Bedouin decent (known for their constant travel across Gulf states) and that they were excluded from naturalization during the creation of the State of Kuwait.

Since the demarcation of Kuwaiti borders, urban and tribal areas that surrounded the wall of Kuwait City (at the time) were included, and Bedouin tribesmen, found in these regions, were all granted citizenship as were sea-farers within these walls.

Today, Bedouins represent the majority of the Kuwaiti population, as they have since 1952, she added.

Al-Nasser said recent official statistics put the number of illegal residents in Kuwait at 105,000 people.

The State of Kuwait has spared no effort to address this problem, she stressed, as two taskforces were formed to tackle this issue in 1986 and 1993.

In 1996, the government also formed the executive committee for illegal residents and assigned the Supreme Council for Planning to thoroughly study the issue and set a strategic and clear roadmap to tackle it.

Al-Nasser pointed out that the proposed roadmap stipulates sorting out illegal residents into several groups and handling each separately.

She, however, underlined that Kuwait has taken it upon itself to provide these people with free healthcare and education in addition to all other humanitarian needs.

 -  End -

It has always puzzled me that the authorities can give people official legal documents with the world "illegal" on them. 

This has been going on for decades. Don't you think the time has come?

Following is a re-Print from Mona Kareem/Global Voices Blog.  The full story can be viewed HERE.

Kuwait: Parliamentary Election Marred by Violence

Posted 3 February 2012 17:13 GMT

Written byMona Kareem

Today, 3 February, 2012, Kuwait will hold its parliamentary elections divided by five electoral districts, a system that was only passed in 2006 in response to blogger-led protests.

At the beginning of December 2011, two year-long protests previous led to the replacement of Prime Minister Nasser Al-Mohammed with his cousin Jaber Al-Mubarak and to the dissolution of the parliament for the fourth time since Al-Mohammed was first appointed. Since then, candidates have been working their ways towards reaching voters.

Tribal rage

Mohammed Al-Juwaihel, a candidate who tried his luck last elections but was removed for bribing voters, has always been a controversial person in Kuwaiti society. He went on television several years ago lunching an attack on those who have dual citizenship, comparing them to a sort of parasitic plant with no loyalty to the country, who should be stripped off their Kuwaiti citizenship.

He has also used the same language with the Kuwaiti stateless Bidun community and attacked certain Kuwaiti tribes, some of whom in response have attacked him in return.

On Monday 30 January, Al-Juwaihel gave another speech insulting one of the tribes, Al Mutair, saying he “will step on them”. After his speech, hundreds of Al Mutair tribes people went to his election tent hub in the Al-idailiya area, chanting, ripping up the posters depicting his slogan “Kuwait is for Kuwaitis.. only”, and at last burning the tent.

- - -

So, fascinatingly, Mr. Juwaihel has been elected into parliament.

Rights, political activists stage demo in solidarity with Bedouns

The Romanian and I drove by Erada square (in front of the Parliament) last night and noticed all the baracades - - - AND cute police guys.  "What's going on?  They brought all the good ones down here."  Tall, dark, handsome... sigh.  Oh yeah, so now, onto the story...

Photo Credit:  Arab Times

Rights, political activists stage demo in solidarity with Bedouns

Call for release of arrested stateless people

Arab Times

By: Abubakar A. Ibrahim

KUWAIT CITY, Jan 28:  Several Kuwaiti human rights and political activists gathered Saturday at the Erada Square in solidarity with Bedouns, calling on the government to immediately take the necessary steps to address the problems of Bedouns and release those arrested during the protest actions in Taima last week.

Holding placards containing excerpts from the Kuwaiti Constitution that guarantees their right to hold demonstrations, the protesters asked the government to stop arresting Bedouns, release those arrested during peaceful demonstrations, grant citizenship to deserving applicants, approve proposals on the civil and human rights of these people, allow the court to settle disputes related to citizenship, refer all security restrictions to the court, address the fake passport issue and adopt the international agreement on stateless persons.

Cordoned
The Erada Square was cordoned off during the rally with two security checkpoints in the area and heavy security presence.  Only Kuwaitis and journalists were given permission to enter the square.
According to Dr Rana Abdulrazak, she and her colleagues invited people to the rally through Twitter, because they were moved by the turn of events in Taima.  They consider the arrest of peaceful demonstrators a violation of the Constitution and the law.  “As Kuwaitis, we have to do something.  We support calls for granting Bedouns their civil rights.  This file should be closed once and for all,” she asserted.

Stressing the need to grant citizenship to deserving applicants, while protecting the rights of those not qualified for naturalization, Abdulrazak argued the stipulations of the Constitution and the laws of the country must be enforced on everyone.  

She appealed to the authorities to refrain from using double standards in dealing with Kuwaitis and other nationalities.  “We believe this gathering will encourage other political parties to support Bedouns.  We should have a unified stand on the issue,” she added.

  

Demand
Meanwhile, Kuwait University Professor and human rights activist Dr Ibtihal Abdulaziz Al-Khatib explained, “We are here to demand for the rights of Bedouns, particularly the right to be naturalized for those who deserve it.  We want them to be treated like any citizen in Kuwait and enjoy basic human rights like education, health and acquisition of official documents.”  She urged the concerned authorities to look into the citizenship issue and naturalize those who met the conditions.

Al-Khatib lamented no concrete step has been taken to address the problems of Bedouns over the last decades.  She believes it is now time to find appropriate solutions, indicating it is illogical to delay the procedures, considering these people have been suffering for decades.

Commenting on what happened during the Bedouns demonstration in Taima, Al-Khatib de-nounced the inhumane steps taken by the security forces who tracked down the peaceful demonstrators.  She said everyone has the right to gather peacefully and asked the government lay down temporary solutions, while waiting for the completion of a comprehensive mechanism to finally close the Bedoun file.  

Demonstration

On the other hand, Deputy Chairperson of Kuwait Human Rights Society Maha Barjas Al-Barjas said the demonstration was organized by Kuwaitis to express their support for Bedouns and convey a clear message to the government that the issue requires immediate solution.

Al-Barjas revealed the protesters include granting Bedouns their basic rights, naturalize the deserving applicants, lift the security restrictions and revoke the case filed against 59 Bedouns who were arrested recently, and issue them civil IDs instead of security cards.  

She warned the Bedouns issue poses a grave threat to the security of the country because most of these people are unemployed; hence, the need to allow them to work in state institutions. 

- - -

This is the "unified nation" that I remember.  I feel proud when I see Kuwaitis who would stand up for those less fortunate (within the walls of their own country - not just in Palestine or other areas of the globe).  This is the true spirit of Kuwaitis; kindness, generosity, and dignity.    I hope that some of my friends were there last night.  It has saddened me lately to hear from so many commenters with negative feelings towards Bedouns; when in fact I know that some Bedouns went to school with them, or grew up next to them, or touched their lives in some way.  Why the hatred?  This country is so small; too small to be so divided.

Approach with Bedoun could be subject to political accountability

Approach with Bedoun could be subject to political accountability

Wednesday, 18 January 2012

Alwatan Daily by Osama Al-Qatari

KUWAIT: Former MP and First Constituency candidate Saleh Ashour said that . . .

In an interview with Al Watan, Ashour said that the decisions made by the Interior Ministry regarding the deportation of Bedouns (stateless Arabs) who participate in peaceful demonstrations to demand their rights, could make the government subject to political accountability by the coming Parliament. He stressed the need to serve justice for Bedouns by immediately naturalizing those entitled to get the Kuwaiti citizenship.

. . .

Asked about his opinion about the demonstrations led by Bedouns, Ashour stressed, "Bedouns are human beings who have [legitimate] rights which the State failed to guarantee to them". He argued that the current predicament was created by the government, adding that he can never accept injustice to Bedouns.

Ashour pointed out that the Bedoun community organized demonstrations and raised the flags of Kuwait and photos of the Amir as signs that they love this country. He added, "Are we punishing them for raising the flags of Kuwait and the photos of the Amir by beating them and raiding their houses?" He went on to say, "Are we living in Kuwait or in a police state? Why didn't the authorities naturalize the Bedouns who are entitled to receive the Kuwaiti nationality? Why are the other categories deprived from their basic rights?"

In regards to the recent decisions made by the government to deport Bedouns who take part in demonstrations, Ashour said, "I will stand against such decisions. I can never accept the deportation of Bedouns".

50 people involved in Bedouns protests referred to public prosecution

Wednesday, 18 January 2012

Alwatan Daily by Ibtisam Saeed

KUWAIT: The public prosecution has detained 50 people who took part in the demonstrations in Taymaa, including Bedouns, Gulf citizens and expatriates.

Prosecution has also referred nine people to forensic to write reports on their injuries.

President of the Central Apparatus for Illegal Residents Saleh Al-Fadalah said that the apparatus is currently looking into the files related to naturalization of military personnel, children of widows and divorced Kuwaiti women and those who obtain university degrees. He added that the names of naturalized people will be announced soon.

In a meeting with the Yemeni female activist Tawakul Kirman, who received Nobel Peace Prize, Al-Fadalah said that the solutions developed to address the issue of Bedouns (stateless Arabs) are based on several principles, most importantly justice, in order to give the citizenship to those who are entitled to get it, and at the same time holding the violators and forgers accountable.

For her part, Kirman expressed admiration with democracy in Kuwait, noting that she visited some electoral headquarters in order to learn from the Kuwaiti experience how to achieve democracy in Yemen. She said that the issue of Bedouns is a priority for her as a person who won noble prize. She said that she is confident that the central apparatus will address this issue.

-          -     -

The world is watching.