Kuwait

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.