KUWAIT CITY, Nov 26: The Higher Commission formed to investigate dual nationality holders has recommended that Kuwaiti nationality of 63 male and female citizens be revoked, reports Al-Shahed daily.

Sources said this is the first time such a big number of people will lose their citizenship. Some of these people were naturalized in 1963, said sources, adding “the number increased because all those who were naturalized owing to their relationship with the naturalized person like wives and children also lose their citizenship. In one case, 22 individuals lost their citizenship because the nationality of the father was revoked.”

Sources said the name of a female citizen who was naturalized in 2003 was also included in the list, but there is some confusion in this case.

Sources said there is a possibility that some of them may retain their citizenship, particularly if there have been any mistakes in preparing the list. The Head of the Commission, First Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak, deals with such issues in a very humane way, they added.

Some dual nationality holders who occupy important positions in the country have voluntarily given up their other nationality while some others are reportedly still struggling to decide which nationality to choose.

Meanwhile, the number of Bedoun in the country is roughly 105,000 and 59,000 of them were not included in the 1965 census, reports Al-Shahid daily.

Sources were quoted as saying the 1965 census is the main prerequisite for obtaining the Kuwaiti citizenship, and it’s not necessary naturalizing those taking part in the 1965 census. Sources stressed the category could be granted documents to prove their nationality.

Meanwhile, the naturalization process includes those refusing the citizenship according to Article 2 of Naturalization Law, and Bedouns likely to be naturalized will not exceed 10,000.In another development, the Parliament’s Interior and Defense Affairs Committee in its next session will discuss a parliamentary proposal stating new conditions for granting citizenship to non-Kuwaitis. The proposal suggests that the names and the great services rendered by these individuals be published in the official gazette and all local Arabic dailies before they are actually granted Kuwaiti citizenship, reports Al-Wasat Arabic daily.

The proposal also suggests that the candidates give up their original nationality within three months of acquiring Kuwaiti citizenship. They should submit official documents proving this fact to the Interior Ministry; otherwise their citizenship will be revoked.