ChChapter 2: Origins and influences of nationality law already in 1928 as someone who was from the ruling family or was resident in Kuwait or was born on the Kuwaiti soil to an Arab or Muslim father. In addition to the obvious religious discrimination, this classification began to implement a sense of hierarchy between the different classes of citizens which is still very prominent today. The nationality law, which was then passed in 1959, went on to state that: “Original Kuwaiti nationals are those persons who were settled in Kuwait prior to 1920 and who maintained their normal residence there until the date of the publication of this Law.” As in the case of Lebanon (described above), it was the practical effect – rather than the formal content – of this provision which left an as yet indelible impression in Kuwait. Many people were either unable to prove that they had satisfied this residence requirement, while others (who may have been able to) did not take the necessary steps to register with the authorities to ensure recognition of their nationality and have since had any such claims denied.72 This led to the exclusion of a significant population which has since 72 - Human Rights Watch, The Bedoons of Kuwait: Citizens without Citizenship, 1995; Refugees International and Open Society Justice Initiative, Without Citizenship. Statelessness, discrimination and repression in Kuwait, 2011; and Human Rights Watch, Prisoners of the Past. Kuwaiti Bidun and the Burden of Statelessness, June 2011. 61