‘Block holders of Article 17 passports if rules violated’

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KUWAIT CITY, Jan 28: The Management, Research and Investigation section of the General Directorate of Nationality and Travel Documents has summoned, since the beginning of last week, some holders of passports under Article 17 particularly those whose security restrictions have been lifted in order to review their files with the State Security apparatus, reports Al-Qabas daily quoting reliable sources.

The sources said the Assistant Undersecretary for Citizenship and Passports Affairs Major- General Sheikh Mazen Al-Jarrah has given clear and explicit instructions to the Director- General of the General Directorate of Nationality and Travel Documents Brigadier-General Yousef Al-Senin to block those who have not abided by the rules and regulations and failed to return the travel documents pointing out they will not be able to travel outside the country after the circulation of their data at all ports.

The source explained that the aim of this move is more of a precautionary measure and to put in place a new mechanism in coordination with the State Security services. The source revealed the Directorate- General of Nationality and Travel Documents has reduced the validity of Article 17 passports for residents or the so-called of illegally bedoun to just one year, for the categories such as those who were included in the 1965 census, persons who need treatment abroad and those who want to pursue their studies.

The source confirmed that the administration gave passports for holders of Article 17 for one year only instead of the three years. The source pointed out the new e-passport for citizens will be issued in the middle of this year beginning with those whose passports have expired. However, all Kuwaitis will be given e-passports in several phases.

The source added, children of bedoun who have security restrictions will be given passports on humanitarian grounds. He also said, after suspension of a law for four months, the non-Kuwaiti wives of Kuwaitis will be given citizenship provided they meet the conditions laid down in the law.

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