MoI stops issuing & renewing Article 17 ‘bedoun’ passports

Bid to clear backlog ‘Kuwait working hard to fight terror’

KUWAIT CITY, Aug 7: According to sources familiar with the General Directorate of Nationality and Travel Documents, a decision has been taken to stop issuing and renewing the Article 17 passports for illegal residents or the so-called bedoun as a result of accumulation of large number of applications for passports submitted to the Department, in order to enable the authorities to complete the backlog before receiving the new applications, reports Al-Anba daily.

The sources revealed the Director General of Citizenship and Passports Department Brigadier Yousef Al-Sanin has received a large number of applications for Article 17 passports during the last few years which has reached approximately 10,000.

Sources explained the applications KUWAIT CITY, Aug 7: Assistant Foreign Affairs Minister for Development and International Cooperation Ambassador Nasser Al-Subaih has affirmed that Kuwait and its institutions are working hard to fight against terrorism and financing terrorism, indicating the concerned officials in the United States of America have expressed satisfaction over Kuwait’s efforts in combating terrorism, reports Al-Jarida daily.

After his meeting with Assistant Secretary for Terrorist Financing US Department of the Treasury Marshall Billingslea, Al-Subaih disclosed that

for passports and renewal of security cards are issued to those who were registered during the 1965 census.

The Genera Department of Public Relations and Information Security at the Ministry of Interior said in a press statement that the Directorate General of Nationality and Travel Documents has stopped issuing or renewing Article 17documents for bedoun as of Tuesday. The statement also said the they discussed mutual concerns and the need to coordinate efforts in addressing international issues related to financing terrorism.

He said the two sides agreed on ways to deal with those violating bylaws and regulations, as well as the development of supervisory tools to strengthen coordination between the countries. Asked if the US Department of the Treasury commented on the procedures taken by Kuwait to combat terrorism, Al-Subaih pointed out that Kuwait has overcome this phase as it is focusing on enhancing cooperation and follow up methods.

ministry will inform of the date when the work will be resumed.

The department added, however applications for study and treatment abroad, will be received in the morning and the completed transactions will be distributed from 4 pm to 8 pm. The Department called upon all those concerned to abide by the decision issued as of the date, in order to save time and effort in completing the transactions.