• Human Rights in Kuwait
    More than 100,000 Bidun who have lived in Kuwait for generations are denied citizenship and basic civil and political rights. Authorities have violently dispersed Bidun demonstrations and prosecuted protesters, saying only “Kuwaiti citizens” have the right to protest. Although citizenship claims have yet to be addressed adequately, authorities did promise the Bidun some benefits guaranteed to its citizens, such as free education and health care. As a general matter, authorities have increased internet surveillance. The Ministry of Interior said it will suspend all anonymous Twitter accounts, hoping to force users to disclose their real names. Authorities have detained and prosecuted people for using nonviolent political speech on social media.
  • Masked anti-riot police walk on a street during clashes with demonstrators protesting against the election results in Kuwait on December 4, 2012.
    © 2012 Reuters
    Kuwait: Security Forces Attack Protesters
    Kuwait security forces have on several occasions used what appears to be excessive force to disperse largely peaceful protesters at a series of demonstrations over participation in the country’s political process since October 2012. Some demonstrators have been wounded, and the security forces have arrested many more.
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Kuwait

  • Kuwait: Security Forces Attack Protesters
    Dec 27, 2012
    Kuwait security forces have on several occasions used what appears to be excessive force to disperse largely peaceful protesters at a series of demonstrations over participation in the country’s political process since October 2012. Some demonstrators have been wounded, and the security forces have arrested many more.
  • The State of Kuwait
    Nov 27, 2012
    On November 5, Kuwait’s emir, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad Al Sabah, confirmed that he would go ahead with the changes he made in the Kuwait’s electoral law this past October 19, explaining that the measures will “protect national unity.” This amendment to the electoral law ahead of the December 1 parliamentary elections is likely to escalate the political crisis in Kuwait, as opposition groups have, in response, threatened to boycott the elections. The resulting political instability is threatening to strip the country of its history of strong political participation.
  • Kuwait: Lift Protest Ban
    Nov 10, 2012
    Kuwait’s authorities should revoke a ministerial order to ban all demonstrations because it denies the right to peaceful assembly. Since October 15, 2012, security forces have used teargas and stun grenades to disperse at least three large rallies protesting an effort by the country’s ruler to amend the country’s electoral law in a way that might reduce opposition representation in parliament.
  • Letter to HH Sheikh Sabah IV Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah on Treatment of the Bidun
    Sep 27, 2012
  • Kuwait: 10 Years for Criticizing Neighboring Rulers
    Jun 6, 2012
    A 10-year prison sentence for criticizing the kings of Saudi Arabia and Bahrain and allegedly “insulting” the Prophet Mohammed on the social media site Twitter violates human rights standards. Kuwait’s Court of First Instance sentenced Hamad al-Naqi, 26, on those charges on June 5, 2012.
  • Kuwait: Emir Should Sign New Detention Bill
    May 14, 2012

    The Kuwaiti parliament passed a law on May 10, 2012, that would provide an important expansion of due process protections in Kuwait. The law would eliminate unlimited renewals of pretrial detention and significantly limit the periods allowed for pretrial investigative detentions. The Emir of Kuwait, Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, should sign the bill into law.

  • Kuwait: Court Victory for Women’s Rights
    May 5, 2012
    A court decision on April 22, 2012, cancelling a ministerial order barring women from entry-level jobs at the Justice Ministry is an important victory against legally-sanctioned discrimination in Kuwait. Human Rights Watch urged the Kuwaiti government to act on the decision, to guarantee women equal access to all public jobs, and to amend or repeal gender-based discriminatory provisions from all its legislation.
  • Kuwait: Security Forces Forcibly Disperse Stateless Residents
    May 3, 2012

    Kuwaiti security forces arrested at least 16 stateless residents of Kuwait, known as Bidun, during a peaceful demonstration on May 1, 2012, in support of their rights to nationality. Kuwaiti authorities should respect the rights of Bidun to peaceful assembly.

  • Kuwait: Lift Newspaper Suspension
    Mar 16, 2012
    Kuwaiti authorities should immediately end the suspension of the daily Al Dar and void the conviction of its editor for alleged incitement. This criminal punishment, for articles in which al-Sultan condemned other writers for insulting the Shia minority, is a clear violation of the right to freedom of expression.
  • Kuwait: Promises, Mostly Unfulfilled, on Citizenship
    Feb 5, 2012
    Kuwait’s government should follow through on promises to address citizenship claims of stateless residents, known as Bidun. The government should also amend its national laws to protect domestic workers following its approval, in June 2011, of a new international treaty on decent work for domestic workers.
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