KUWAIT CITY (AP) — The Kuwaiti Cabinet stripped citizenship from 33 people this year, including at least three who were vocal critics of the government, Human Rights Watch said Sunday.

The New York-based rights group said Kuwait announced the latest batch of 18 people who were stripped of their nationality on Sep. 29. It called on Kuwaiti authorities to stop the practice against those exercising free speech and to ensure that people who lose their citizenship have the right to an independent review of the ruling.