Kuwait's stateless population, also known as ‘bedoun' (without nationality), has been holding protests for the third day in a row, calling for equal rights and a citizenship in the country many have been born in and know as their only home. The government says they are illegal residents - and that their demonstrations are illegal too.
The protests started on Friday, with around 1,000 protesters. Clashes with police followed, as well as arrests and reports that one protester was killed. The government, however denies that anyway was killed in the protests.
Here are reactions from Twitter on the unfolding situation:
@Arabian_Babbler: Kuwaiti stateless stage third day of protest for basic rights and citizenship http://tinyurl.com/6gv7ra3 #Kuwait
@fouad_marei: #Kuwait: first 'stateless' Kuwaiti killed amidst protests demanding naturalisation and legal settlements #bedoun #بدون
@Dima_Khatib: Stateless people, longtime residents of #Kuwait known as “bedoun”, demand what Kuwaitis have: citizenship, free education & healthcare, jobs
@moftasa: Stateless Arabs in Kuwait come under fire as security forces use flares to disperse them. http://is.gd/qyrlmg
@arabtimeskuwait: Interior denies ‘deaths’ - Bedoun protest for third day http://www.arabtimesonline.com
@dubaijazz: Al Bayan reports one protester from the Bedoun was killed in #Kuwait: http://bit.ly/giFUkg #Why
@hhusaini: #kuwait bedoun demand citizenship, jobs and housing http://af.reuters.com/article/energyOilNews/idAFLDE71H22B20110218
@Dima_Khatib: Stateless people, longtime residents of #Kuwait known as “bedoun”, demand what Kuwaitis have: citizenship, free education & healthcare, jobs
@buthaina: #Journalists wish 2 learn more abt #Kuwait #Bedoun, U can find a report (in En.) @ Kuwaiti #AlWatan Arabic Daily, by Buthaina AlOthman in 91
@buthaina: The prob. of #Bedoun was created by former #Kuwait Crown Prince, Sheikh Sa'ad who brought #Syrian & #Iraqi #Bedwins 2 KUW in the 80s 2 vote.
@buthaina: #Kuwait #MP #HassanJawher won't give direct answer to #AlWatantv when asked about the #Bedoun #Protest in #AlJahra district as he's Head of
@Somaiyyah: Bedoun who were here before ‘90 and stood by Kuwait during all good and bad times deserves jenseya. Other than that m3a ilsalama #justsaying
@FollowFawaz: Though have no legal status or claim to citizenship, ‘bedoun' have lived among the people of Kuwait, enjoying benefits of kuwaitis
@FollowFawaz: Kuwaiti security forces dispersed ‘bedoun' protestors by using water hoses and tear gas. ‘bedoun' are illegal residents in Kuwait.
@haideralmosawi: @mbhkewl @7nanii Bedoun are entitled to basic rights, even if they don't deserve citizenship. For kids, Kuwait is the only country they know
@Adoo7a: How big it is, the Bedoun protests? Give me a percentage?
@UnsuperDyke: This will piss a lot of people off but the Bedoun issue is a human rights issue. Where ever they came from they're our responsibility now.
@AminaAlShirawi: @Futtaim bedoun issue is everywhere.. america, europe and everywhere else have it as well..
@Norrahsaur: Stop all the jokes about the bedoun people.Thats not nice.
@Fatma_BA: Ugly Bedoun; May You please Shut your mouth up and keep us happy till our National Day and For ever.. :)
On YouTube, alhour313 posted this video showing protesters:
Almusawi73 also shares this video from the protests:
Written by Amira Al Hussaini
Monday, 21 February 2011
Kuwait: Stateless ‘Bedoun’ Demand Rights · Global Voices
