No real intention to solve Bedouns issue, says Al-Bader

Interior Ministry says stateless protesters carried out criminal acts

Thursday,03 May 2012By : 
Jameel W. Karaki
 Staff Writer and Agencies


http://watanpdf.alwatan.com.kw/alwatanPDF/WatanDaily/2012-05-03/3.pdf

KUWAIT: After the police aborted an attempt made by some Bedoun (Stateless Arabs) to protest in Taima two days ago and arrested 14 protesters, 18 Bedouns organized another protest in Sulaibiya on Wednesday midnight, using hot air balloons that carried slogans calling for citizenship. The Bedoun set off the balloons and escaped before the police arrived.

It is worth noting that the police received tips that a small group of Bedoun flew balloons that carry slogans calling for citizenship. Interior Ministry on Wednesday accused stateless protesters of carrying out criminal acts against police officers during the demonstration. We regret the attacks by demonstrators in Taima (Square) and the shameful acts punishable by law that they committed," the ministry said in a statement on state-run news agency KUNA.

Demonstrators "tried to run over police officers, destroy equipment and devices, ignite tires and block roads," it said.

Authorities said 14 people were arrested.

Meanwhile, Nawaf Al-Bader, the official spokesman of Kuwaiti Stateless committee described Tuesday's protest by Bedouns as regrettable, as the Ministry of Interior treated the situation with unjustified violence, adding that all evidences ensures its arbitrariness.

He added, "It also affected journalists and photographers, where some of them were threatened, expulsed and even Al-Rai (newspaper) photographer was arrested."

He explained that these demonstrations are a result of the government's lack of credibility in dealing with the Bedouns issue and lack of intention to resolve the matter. Al-Bader pointed out that since the establishment of the Central Agency for Illegal Residents stateless body, no one has received their rights.

Regarding the statement of Chief of Central Apparatus for Illegal Residents Saleh Al-Fadhalah, he described them both "funny and sad." "He claims that he has thousands of proofs against Bedouns, who faked their documents. So, we ask him to send them for trials, but these statements are not new for us as activists. He also admits that a lot deserves citizenships and yet they didn't get it till now".

He concluded, that there is no true intention to solve this issue, and the statements of Al-Fadhalah were "shameful and the National Assembly lawmakers should stop him."

MP Shaye Al-Shaye affirmed that Al-Fadhalah is one of the sincere men of Kuwait, indicating that the chief has exerted great efforts to solve the thorny case of Bedoun and all of us appreciate his hard efforts.

Al-Shaye told Al-Watan that Al-Fadhalah is a man of integrity and he is up to responsibility, moreover he could achieve many positive steps towards solving the case. The MP asked for giving Al-Fadhalah the time that he needs for solving this critical case.

On the other hand, Al-Shaye asked for disclosing the person that was behind granting the Kuwaiti citizenship to the Iraqi police officer, after the MP Abdullah Al-Turaiji discussed the case. He affirmed that such person should be exposed before the Kuwaiti people even if he is a member of the current Parliament.

On Tuesday, Al-Fadhalah has called on populace pressure against some lawmakers decision to end the issue of Bedouns, warning at the same time that such draft law, as proposed by some MPs, would put an end to the work of the Central Apparatus and its endeavors to make communications and contacts with officials in Iraq and Syria to grant those stateless Arabs living in Kuwait illegally citizenship.

Al-Fadhalah's statement came during a meeting held in a diwaniya in Al-Yarmouk area, in which he explained that at least 42,000 Stateless Arabs have been confirmed of Iraqi origin. He added that Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki asked him if he substantiate the claims to which Al-Fadhalah sought to prove, but was hindered by the Arab spring.

"The Central Apparatus has obtained an irrefutable evidence regarding the true origin of 67, 000 Stateless Arabs with 1,058 people have already declared publicly their true origin to taking advantage of the privileges granted by the Central Apparatus for each and everyone who discloses their true origin," he remarked.

As for the breakdown of the people who had already disclosed their true origin, Al-Fadhalah said that 565 are of Saudi origin; 359 of Syrian origin; 104 of Iraqi origin; 11 of Iranian origin; 9 of Jordanian origin; 3 of Yemeni origin; 2 from New Zealand; 2 Egyptians; 2 Eritreans and 1 Canadian.

He went on to explain that the function of the Central Apparatus is to find a solution to the problem of the Stateless Arabs residing in the country illegally. He said that it was the wishes of His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah to resolve the issue and for that purpose the Supreme Council for Planning was assigned to do exactly the job in 2008.

He added that when the Central Apparatus began its work, they officially registered 93,000 people who claimed stateless status. He said that the figure was enormous and therefore it was decided that there would be a red card granted for three categories; those with security risk; those with repeated offenses such as drugs charges; and those who were served with an official note to leave the country. All these three categories are by law barred from naturalization, but were given red card to assist them with matters related to schooling and medical treatment provided for them on humane grounds.

He also pointed out that if any of the charges are not accurate, and if any Bedoun feels that the charges against him are inaccurate, he can dispute by either referring to the State Security or Military Intelligence whichever and bring an official document showing that the charges indeed were inaccurate.

As for the other two types of Bedouns, Al-Fadhalah said that some have the 1965 Registration which means they are entitled as long as no security risk is noted in their files. Those people are issued with Green card.

The last type is related to those who were present after 1966 and remained thereafter. Those are given a Yellow card as long as there are no security restrictions in their files.

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