(MENAFN - Arab Times) Secretary General of the Central Apparatus for Illegal Residents (Bedouns) Sheikh Khalid Mubarak Al-Sabah on Tuesday informed in a thorough manner a visiting delegation of Amnesty International about efforts of the Apparatus for resolving this issue.
In remarks to KUNA following the meeting with the visiting delegation, Sheikh Khalid said he informed in detail the envoys of Amnesty International about government efforts to tackle this issue, exerted over the past years, namely issuance of the Amiri Decree in November 2010, stipulating establishment of the department or the Apparatus.
This question is being tackled and followed-up continuously by the Apparatus, he said, also noting that the Cabinet had approved granting citizenship to two batches of these residents, names of whom had been listed and forwarded by the authority, said Sheikh Khalid Al-Mubarak.
Currently, the Apparatus is preparing lists of names eligible for naturalization, pending submission to the government for approval, he said.
The Central Apparatus has recently worked out a mechanism for employing illegal residents, whose names are included in the 1965 national census statistics, carry diplomas and higher certificates, in the public sector, in coordination with the Civil Services Commission, Sheikh Khalid Al-Mubarak added.
He has affirmed abidance by the cabinet resolution, number 409/2011, stipulating facilities for the illegal residents, whereas basic services, such as teaching and health, are being granted to them free of charge. Moreover, it offers priviliges for those who seek to legalize their status, such as five-year residency, without sponsor for the father or the children, along with free education and health care.
For his part, Drewery Dyke of Amnesty International's Middle East and North Africa Programme, said in a statement following the meeting that the delegation's visit was aimed at examining developments concerning this issue.
The delegation has held meetings with several ranking and eminent figures, namely Speaker of the National Assembly Ahmad Al-Saadoun.
