The exiled blogger also faces several prison sentences stemming from allegations related to his online freedom of expression.
This statement was originally published on gc4hr.org on 10 April 2024.
The Kuwaiti government continues to directly target exiled blogger Salman Al-Khalidi, using all means at its disposal, and recently decided to arbitrarily revoke his Kuwaiti citizenship.
On 7 April 2024, an Emiri decree was issued bearing the signature of the Emir of the country, Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, which stated that citizenship had been withdrawn from three citizens, including Al-Khalidi, and from all those who acquired it through dependency.
The Emiri Decree, a copy of which was provided to the Gulf Centre for Human Rights GCHR), was based on Article 13 of Emiri Decree No. 15 of 1959 regarding the Kuwaiti Nationality Law. Paragraphs 1, 4 and 5 of Article 13 give the ability to withdraw citizenship from those who acquired it, if the granting of Kuwaiti citizenship was done through fraud or based on false statements (paragraph 1), if this is required by the state’s supreme interest and external security (paragraph 4), and when promoting principles that would undermine the economic or social system in the country or when belonging to a foreign political body (paragraph 5).
Upon learning of the arbitrary decision through the media, Al-Khalidi stated to GCHR that, “What the Emir of the country did by withdrawing my nationality is due to his desire for broad political revenge, not only against me for my peaceful activities in the field of human rights, but the decree includes my children and grandchildren who have acquired the nationality of their country dependent on me.” Al-Khalidi added, “Becoming stateless due to an arbitrary, unjust decision is a blatant violation of my right to obtain the citizenship of my country, and it will not change the truth at all. I will remain affiliated with Kuwait, its land and its people, for the rest of my life.”
The courts also issued several prison sentences against Al-Khalidi in absentia, bringing the number of years he must spend in prison to 21 years. These sentences are all linked to allegations relating to his peaceful use of his account on X (formerly Twitter) to express his personal opinions on public issues of concern to citizens in Kuwait, and his defense of the civil and humanitarian rights of the Bedoon community, as well as of prisoners of conscience, in addition to his work as a founding member of the Kuwaiti Refugee Association. The headquarters of the Association, which was established in August 2022, are in the United Kingdom, where it holds activities.
For more information about his case click here.
GCHR condemns in the strongest terms the withdrawal of the citizenship of blogger Salman Al-Khalidi and his children and grandchildren, in addition to the unjust sentences issued against him. This cruel and ongoing targeting clearly and explicitly violates his legitimate right to freedom of expression on the Internet, freedom of peaceful assembly, and freedom of association, including to belong and work in civil society organisations. GCHR calls on the authorities in Kuwait, especially the State Security Service, to stop targeting him immediately and to drop all sentences issued against him, as well as to revoke the decree to withdraw his Kuwaiti citizenship, and that of his family members.
