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Kuwait Human Rights
Human Rights Concerns
General Country Conditions: Restored diplomatic relations with Iraq have led to the resolution of many POW issues from the 1991 Gulf War. The Kuwait Human Rights Society was licensed in August 2004, after 10 years of operating without formal government approval. Women were granted the right to vote in May 2005, but violence against women in society continues. Foreign workers remain vulnerable to abuse and exploitation, particularly female domestic workers, who have virtually no protection at all. Many Kuwaitis remain classified as "bidoon", that is, without citizenship.
Human Rights Concerns: Migrant workers continue to experience exploitation and abuse, and to demand protection of their rights. Some were deported after participating in mass protests. The government promised to improve conditions. There are freedom of expression concerns, and several journalists were prosecuted in 2009. One case of torture was reported.
At least 12 people were under sentence of death but no executions were known to have been carried out. Two of four death sentences confirmed by the Supreme Court were later commuted in 2009. In December, 2009, Kuwait voted against a UN General Assembly resolution calling for a worldwide moratorium on executions.
Four Kuwaitis are detained without charge by the US at Guantanamo Bay.
Relevant Links
Kuwait Newsroom
March 10, 2016 • Press Release
Ai Weiwei, Snowden, Pussy Riot take place of online ads to protest censorship
Messages from Edward Snowden, Ai Weiwei and Pussy Riot will be broadcast across the internet by AdBlock and Amnesty International on the World Day against Cyber Censorship, 12 March 2016.
February 22, 2016 • Press Release
Amnesty International’s Annual State of the World Report Slams Governments, Including the U.S., for Global Assault on Freedoms
On the launch of its 2015 State of the World report, Amnesty International USA urged President Obama to use his last year in office to bring U.S. laws and policies in line with international human rights standards.
February 18, 2016 • Press Release
Your rights in jeopardy, global assault on freedoms, warns Amnesty International
International protection of human rights is in danger of unravelling as short-term national self-interest and draconian security crackdowns have led to a wholesale assault on basic freedoms and rights, warned Amnesty International as it launched its annual assessment of human rights around the world. “Your rights are in jeopardy: they are being treated with utter contempt by many governments around the world,” said Salil Shetty, Secretary General of Amnesty International.
February 18, 2016 • Report
Amnesty International State of the World 2015-2016
International protection of human rights is in danger of unravelling as short-term national self-interest and draconian security crackdowns have led to a wholesale assault on basic freedoms and rights, warned Amnesty International as it launched its annual assessment of human rights around the world. “Your rights are in jeopardy: they are being treated with utter contempt by many governments around the world,” said Salil Shetty, Secretary General of Amnesty International.
January 11, 2016 • Press Release
Kuwaiti electronic crimes law threatens to further stifle freedom of expression
A new cybercrimes law, which is due to take effect on January 12, 2016, will add a further layer to the web of laws that already restrict the right of people in Kuwait to freedom of expression and must be urgently reviewed, said Amnesty International today.
December 16, 2015 • Press Release
Kuwait at risk of sliding into deeper repression amid growing clampdown on critics
The Kuwaiti authorities have arrested, prosecuted and imprisoned scores of peaceful activists, including human rights defenders and political opponents, in their efforts to silence critics and punish dissent, said Amnesty International in a new report published today.
September 15, 2015 • Press Release
Overturn death sentences in mosque bombing case in Kuwait
Seven death sentences handed down by a Kuwait City court today are a misguided response to the bombing of Imam Sadiq Mosque in June this year and must be overturned, Amnesty International said.
February 25, 2015 • Report
State of the World 2014/2015
This has been a devastating year for those seeking to stand up for human rights and for those caught up in the suffering of war zones. Governments pay lip service to the importance of protecting civilians. And yet the world's politicians have miserably failed to protect those in greatest need. Amnesty International believes that this can and must finally change.
May 21, 2013 • Report
Annual Report: Kuwait 2013
State of Kuwait Head of state al-Shaikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah Head of government al-Shaikh Jaber al-Mubarak al-Hamad Riot police used excessive force against peaceful demonstrators as part of a crackdown on freedoms of expression and assembly. Thousands of stateless Bidun continued to be denied Kuwaiti nationality and thus access to health care, education and …
June 7, 2012 • Press Release
Kuwait Urged to Respect Freedom of Speech After Man Sentenced for ‘Insulting Islam’ in Tweets
A Kuwait court convicted a man to 10 years in prison for messages posted on Twitter that were deemed "insulting" to heads of state and religious figures.