On 04 May 2026, the authorities announced the revocation of Kuwaiti nationality from citizen Nayef Rakhees Dhahi Al-Fadhli, 70, the father of exiled political opponent Fawaz Al-Kathiri, along with several members of his family.

On the same day, Al-Kathiri posted on his X account: “The news is confirmed: My father’s citizenship and, consequently, my brothers’ citizenship have been revoked. We are not forgers, neither do we hold dual citizenship, nor did we obtain Kuwaiti citizenship through naturalisation… This is all lies and slander… The only reason is that Fawaz is his son!!”

A year prior, Al-Kathiri and his sons had their citizenship revoked. There is no evidence of forgery against them; they are good citizens who have served the country with utmost loyalty and competence.

A week before this decision was issued, the family’s movable and immovable assets were seized. The Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR) previously documented the arrest of his father on 25 February 2026, on fabricated charges. He was not released until 01 March 2026, all in retaliation for Al-Kathiri’s public opposition to the current government and its various policies.

The Emiri decree revoking the family’s citizenship was based on Kuwaiti Nationality Law No. (15) of 1959 and its amendments. It was issued following a proposal by the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Fahd Al-Yousef, which was approved by the Cabinet. A source close to the family confirmed that Fahd Al-Yousef himself, prior to the issuance of the unjust decision, threatened Al-Kathiri’s father five times with the revocation of his citizenship if he did not silence his son.

Political activist Fawaz Al-Kathiri told GCHR, “We have no other citizenship. We belong to Kuwait, its land, its homeland, and its long and rich history. Furthermore, three members of our family have lost their lives for the nation and in defense of its flag.” He added, “The Emiri decree stripping us of our citizenship is illegal; it is a purely vindictive and politically-motivated decision.”

GCHR strongly condemns the politically-motivated decision to strip the family of political opponent Fawaz Al-Kathiri of their Kuwaiti citizenship. These are people who have given everything they own to the land they call home, and GCHR expresses its full solidarity with them against this targeting by the Kuwaiti government.

GCHR calls on the Kuwaiti government to halt and rescind all decisions it has taken to strip citizens of their Kuwaiti citizenship, given the grave consequences this has for the state and society. GCHR also calls on the government to respect the civil and human rights of all citizens without exception.