This article is about Kuwaiti women who marry non-Kuwaiti men and have children. The law actually ignores her and her rights, but as a citizen and a human being she is supposed to be protected by the Constitution and national laws. It seems that the law punishes her for her own choice.
I meant to write and comment on this issue today due to its sensitivity and importance. At this time, where everyone is promoting their agenda for the election, I have not yet heard anyone calling to change laws in regard to a Kuwaiti woman who is married to a non Kuwaiti or how to handle her personal property?
Dear Muna Al-Fuzai,
My name is Fatima. I am a Kuwaiti citizen married to non-Kuwaiti husband for the last 23 years. I have 4 children all over 18 years old. I cannot transfer my citizenship to my children!? I cannot transfer my property to my children’s name and they can not apply for Kuwait citizenship?!
In Dubai and Bahrain, the government allows the children of local women to take her nationality if they are over 18. Why not in Kuwait?!
Why are Kuwaitis always unsupportive of human rights?
Please can you help us.
Regards
First of all, I agree that the law here is not supportive to a Kuwaiti woman when it comes to her marriage to a non-Kuwaiti. As if we are all blue blood they are trying to protect! This is not true by any means! I understand and have sympathy with your call. After 23 years of marriage, you still struggle for your future and you cannot even register any property under the names of your sons and daughters because the law is still punishing you for your choice, which you made decades ago!
Granting Kuwaiti citizenship to your children from a non-Kuwaiti man seems impossible now. You will probably hear lots of sweet talk and promises, but I have to tell you the truth. This issue is not a matter of concern to anyone right now, neither voters, candidates nor the government. The future is something we cannot predict, just hope for the best.
As for what is happing in the UAE and Bahrain, allowing the children of local women to have her citizenship if they are over 18 is something I cannot confirm as I am not familiar with their regulations in this regard. If this is true then I believe that they did well. It does not make sense to me that a woman who would live with someone for 23 years and has adult sons and daughters fails to remain a happy family in one place. When a mother wishes to leave some of her property to her children, she fails because they are not citizens! The only chance for you is to raise the issue with many concerned people in the field of human rights. I know I will do, and will talk about it in the media as well.
Muna Al-Fuzai
muna@kuwaittimes.net
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