Special residency, self-sponsorship in Bedoun bill

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Finance grilling stands

KUWAIT CITY, Nov 5: The Bedoun Bill submitted by Parliament Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim and several other MPs grants Bedouns, who have proven to be holding another nationality, a special residency or ‘selfsponsorship’ as stated in the bill.

This will grant Bedouns certain rights enjoyed by Kuwaitis for a renewable period of 15 years, as well as the eligibility to apply for Kuwaiti citizenship in accordance with the law.

As per Article Four of the bill, these rights will be granted to wives and minor children of applicants including free public healthcare which will also cover persons with disabilities, free education in all academic levels, issuance of all documents regarding personal status, the right to employment in both the public and private sectors, and the right to practice business in accordance with the law.

The bill also consists of a clause allowing the concerned minister to add additional rights as he deems fit. Those who failed to correct their legal status due to their inability to prove belongingness to a certain nationality within the given grace period of one year will be subjected to the Residency Law; hence, they will be penalized accordingly as though a foreigner in violation of the law and will lose their eligibility to apply for the Kuwaiti citizenship.

On the other hand, Chairman of the Human Rights Committee MP Adel Al-Damkhi disclosed that after investigating suicide cases, the Bedoun Civil Rights bill was approved and included in the agenda of the National Assembly. The chairman affirmed that this bill is the real solution to the issue, away from naturalization.

Meanwhile, in view of the Cabinet’s acceptance of the resignation of Finance Minister Nayef Al-Hajraf, MP Riyadh Al-Adsani who previously submitted an interpellation motion against the former minister stated that his interpellation still stands and will be addressed to Mariam Al-Aqeel who was appointed to the post. The MP lauded the professionalism of Al-Hajraf regarding the interpellation. Since the interpellation was not aimed at Al-Hajraf as a person, it still stands as the issues remain regardless of who leads the Ministry of Finance, he explained.

By Ahmed Al-Naqeeb Arab Times Staff

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