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Item=787

KUWAIT
At A Glance Population: 0uly ;669 est. -1P Per "apita =PPP@: ;669 est. *uman 1eBelopment Index 'anC: #)1P: ;669 7reedom *ouse 'ating: ;669 Political 'igDts "iBil ,iberties 7reedom of tDe Press 'anC: 7reedom *ouse: ;669 "orruption Index 'anC: $ransparency International: ;667 ;:+58:8<8 =including 5:;<5:8/+ non>citi?ens@ A;5:966 88 =out of 577 countries@ Partly 7ree + / 559 =out of 5<+ countries@ 96 =out of 586 countries@

UPDATES AND FORTHCOMING EVENTS ......................................................................................3 UPDATES AND FORTHCOMING EVENTS ......................................................................................3
! "#$I% &'()"*................................................................................................................................+ , -I.,($I% &'()"*............................................................................................................................./ 0#1I"I('2...............................................................................................................................................7 ,3"(, -3% ')4 )$.............................................................................................................................8

RIGHTS ...................................................................................................................................................10 RIGHTS ...................................................................................................................................................10 P , '

'.3)(, ,I& '$I ..............................................................................................................................56 -I.,($I3) ' -#,($I)- $* ! '"I. 37 'I-*$...........................................................................56 " )$ -3% ')4 )$ I)I$I($I% . (77 "$I)- 'I-*$......................................................................58

POLITICAL FORCES............................................................................................................................15 POLITICAL FORCES............................................................................................................................15 P3,I$I"(, P('$I . ...............................................................................................................................5/ "I%I, .3"I $2.......................................................................................................................................59 ELECTION RESULTS...........................................................................................................................18 ELECTION RESULTS...........................................................................................................................18 CONSTITUTIONAL REVISION..........................................................................................................19 CONSTITUTIONAL REVISION..........................................................................................................19 CORRUPTION........................................................................................................................................20
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CORRUPTION........................................................................................................................................20 RATIFICATION OF INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS.............................................................21 RATIFICATION OF INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS.............................................................21

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Updates and Forthcoming Events

KuwaitEs Popular (ction Parliamentary &loc expelled on 7ebruary 5<: ;668 two of its members: (dnan (bdulsamad and (Dmed ,ari: for publicly mourning *i?bollaD militant Imad 4ugDniya as a martyr. $De bloc condemned tDe two 4Ps for participation in tDe rally to mourn 4ugDniyaD: FwDo brutally Cilled two Kuwaitis during tDe G5<88H DiIacCingJ of a Kuwaiti plane. $De two 4Ps remain in tDe legislature but face prospectiBe lawsuits by Kuwaiti citi?ens. "licC Dere for more information. "ontroBersy oBer gender segregation returned to tDe forefront in Kuwait after liberal 4Ps submitted a draft bill on 7ebruary /: ;668 to allow coeducation. KuwaitKs first uniBersity segregation law: wDicD reLuired tDe public system to be segregated: was passed in 5<<9 and implemented in ;665. $De second law: wDicD reLuires priBate uniBersities to be segregated: was passed in ;666 and Das not yet been fully implemented due to tDe DigD cost of building separate facilities for men and women. Islamist 4Ps insist tDat gender segregation is reLuired by Islamic law and in turn are campaigning for a full implementation. ( senior liberal 4P: (li al> 'asDid: reportedly receiBed deatD tDreats oBer tDe proposal. "licC Dere for more information. 'eporters witDout &orders issued a statement on 7ebruary 55: ;668 calling on tDe mir of Kuwait to clarify a proposed draft law for regulating tDe internet. 4inister of "ommunication and Islamic (ffairs (bdulla al>4uDailbi announced on 7ebruary 9 tDat tDe cabinet would soon propose a law tDat would allow tDe goBernment to monitor and regulate websites and blogs. "licC Dere for more information.

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Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms Kuwait

.tate Institutions/ .eparation of Powers

$De .tate of Kuwait is a Dereditary mirate. "onstitution approBed and promulgated on )oBember 55: 5<9; = nglisD $ext: (rabic $ext@.

Executive branch

$De emir is tDe Dead of state. *eM > > > > > > > > > > (ppoints tDe prime minister and two deputy prime ministers. (ppoints and dismisses otDer ministers in consultation witD tDe prime minister. "an adIourn tDe )ational (ssembly for a period not exceeding one montD and may also dissolBe tDe )ational (ssembly and call for new elections witDin two montDs. 4ay issue decrees wDicD DaBe tDe force of law: proBided tDat tDey are not contrary to tDe constitution or to tDe budget law. Initiates laws and promulgates tDem. (ppoints and dismisses ciBil: military and diplomatic officials. "an declare defensiBe war and martial law by decree. .ucD decrees are referred to tDe )ational (ssembly witDin fifteen days. 4artial law may not continue unless a decision to tDat effect is made by a maIority Bote in tDe (ssembly. "an conclude treaties by decree but must submit tDem to tDe )ational (ssembly for ratification. "an grant a pardon or commute a sentenceN general amnesty can only be granted by law. Is Fimmune and inBiolableJ according to (rticle /+ of tDe constitution. $Dus De is beyond any political criticism or accountability.

.DeiCD .abaD al>(Dmad al>.abaD became emir on 0anuary ;<: ;669 after tDe deatD of .DeiCD 0aber al>(Dmad al>0aber al>.abaD: emir of Kuwait since 5<77. $De deatD of .DeiCD 0aber al>(Dmad (l .abaD sparCed a succession struggle witDin tDe ruling al>.abaD family. $De Kuwaiti parliament played a significant role in ending tDe political crisis by inBoCing a 5<9+ succession law and Boting unanimously to remoBe "rown Prince .DeiCD .aad al>(bdullaD al>.abaD for DealtD reasons. $De rime mi!i"#erM > > Is appointed by tDe emir. .DeiCD )asser al>4uDammad al>.abaD became Prime 4inister on 7ebruary 7: ;669.

$De crown princeM > Is appointed by tDe emir.

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.DeiC )awaf al>(Dmad al>.abaD =tDe emirKs brotDer and former interior minister and deputy prime minister@ became crown prince on 7ebruary 7: ;669.

$De offices of crown prince and prime minister were separated in ;668 for tDe first time since independence. $De "ouncil of 4inisters =official (rabic website@M > > > > > Is appointed by tDe emir on recommendation of tDe prime minister. Is responsible to tDe emir. *as control oBer all ministries and formulates goBernment policy. 1eliberations of tDe "ouncil of 4inisters are secret. 'esolutions are passed only wDen tDe maIority of its members are present and witD tDe approBal of tDe maIority of tDose present. In case of a tie: tDe Prime 4inisterKs Bote is decisiBe. 'esolutions of tDe "ouncil of 4inisters are submitted to tDe emir for approBal in cases reLuiring tDe issuing of a decree.

$De ruling family controls tDe most important ministriesM Interior: 1efense: 7oreign (ffairs: nergy: Planning and (dministration $De current cabinet was appointed on 4arcD ;/: ;667 after tDe preBious goBernment resigned in a moBe obserBers belieBe was aimed at aBoiding a no> confidence motion against *ealtD 4inister .DeiCD (Dmad al>(bdullaD al>.abaD. $en 4Ps presented tDe motion in 7ebruary oBer suspected financial and administratiBe breacDes at tDe ministry. $De resDuffle replaced tDe minister: but Cey portfoliosOforeign affairs: defense: interior: labor and social affairs: and oilO remain uncDanged. $Dey are Deaded by members of tDe ruling .abaD family.

Legislative branch

$De #nicameral )ational (ssembly =M$%&i" $&'Umm$(: created in 5<98M > Is made up of /6 members elected for a four>year term and of 55>59 ministers wDo are not elected but wDo sit as ex>officio members. lected officials may also serBe in tDe cabinet: in wDicD case tDe number of ex officio members is reduced accordingly. 7iBe electoral constituencies eacD elect ten members to tDe legislature. In eacD district: tDe ten candidates witD tDe DigDest number of Botes win tDe seats: eBen tDougD tDey may receiBe less tDan a maIority of tDe Botes. "an initiate legislation. Promulgation of laws taCes place witDin tDirty days of tDeir submission by tDe )ational (ssembly to tDe emir: after being confirmed in tDe (ssembly by a two>tDirds maIority Bote. $Dis period is reduced to seBen days in case of urgency. .ucD urgency is decided upon by a maIority Bote of tDe members of tDe )ational (ssembly. If tDe period of promulgation expires witDout tDe Dead of state demanding reconsideration: tDe bill is considered as DaBing been sanctioned and is promulgated. ,aws are publisDed in tDe 3fficial -a?ette before tDey become effectiBe. "an oBerturn any of tDe emirKs decrees made during dissolution of tDe assembly. $De parliament can also Beto a law proposed by tDe goBernment.
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Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms Kuwait

)o law may be promulgated unless it Das been passed by tDe )ational (ssembly and sanctioned by tDe emir. 1ecrees issued by tDe emir are referred to tDe )ational (ssembly witDin tDe fifteen days following tDeir issue if tDe (ssembly is in session. If tDe (ssembly does not confirm tDem: tDey retrospectiBely cease to DaBe tDe force of law. > "an Luestion and witDdraw confidence from ministers and tDe cabinet. PitDdrawal of confidence from a minister taCes place by a maIority Bote of tDe members of tDe (ssembly excluding ministers. $De Luestion of confidence in tDe prime minister may not be raised before tDe )ational (ssembly but if tDe )ational (ssembly decides tDat it cannot worC witD tDe prime minister: tDe matter is submitted to tDe emir. $De emir may eitDer remoBe tDe prime minister from office and appoint a new cabinet or dissolBe tDe )ational (ssembly. $De )ational (ssembly elects a speaCer and a deputy speaCer from among its members. $De speaCer Das tDe power to conBene sessionsN establisD and modify tDe agendaN organi?e tDe debates and set speaCing timesN examine tDe admissibility of bills and amendmentsN and bring items outside tDe agenda to tDe floor. *e draws up tDe budget of tDe (ssembly and submits it to tDe &ureau of tDe )ational (ssembly. *e is also consulted by tDe Dead of state prior to tDe appointment of tDe prime minister. $De goBernment draws up an annual draft budget comprising tDe reBenue and expenditure of tDe state: and submits it to tDe )ational (ssembly for discussion and approBal: at least two montDs before tDe end of tDe fiscal year =article 5/< of tDe 'ule of 3rders@. $De 7inancial "ontrol 1iwan =(udit &ureau@ is attacDed to tDe )ational (ssembly and assists tDe goBernment and tDe )ational (ssembly in controlling tDe collection of state reBenues and tDe disbursement of its expenditures witDin tDe limits of tDe budget. $De (udit &ureau submits an annual report to botD tDe goBernment and tDe )ational (ssembly. It Das no Iudicial competence.

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1espite tDe presence of tDe appointed members: tDe assembly demonstrates considerable independence and often Botes against tDe goBernment. (ltDougD political parties are not allowed tDere are parliamentary blocs. $De main parliamentary blocs areM $De Islamic "onstitutional 4oBement =I"4@N tDe .alafi 4oBementN tDe )ational 1emocratic 4oBement =)14@N tDe Kuwait 1emocratic 7orum =K17@N and tDe .DiKi )ational Islamic (lliance =)I(@. 7rom 5<79 to 5<85: tDe )ational (ssembly was suspended and after elections in 5<85 and 5<8/ it was again dissolBed. )ew elections for tDe )ational (ssembly were Deld in 5<<; fulfilling a promise made by tDe emir during tDe period of IraLi occupation.

In 5<<<: tDe emir issued seBeral decrees dealing witD womenEs suffrage: economic liberali?ation: and citi?ensDip. $De )ational (ssembly later reIected all of tDese decrees as a matter of principle and tDen reintroduced most of tDem as parliamentary legislation. In 3ctober ;668 tDe cabinet approBed draft legislation granting women full rigDts to Bote and run as candidates in elections. $De measure Carnegie Endowment for International Peace &undaci'n (ara las )elaciones Internacionales * el 9

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Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms Kuwait

did not receiBe parliamentary approBal and tDerefore did not become law. 7inally on 4ay 59: ;66/ parliament passed a goBernment>sponsored bill to amend tDe electoral law to grant women tDe rigDt to Bote and to run for office. $De Bote passed 8/ to ;8 witD one abstention: only two weeCs after parliament Dad denied women tDe rigDt to participate in municipal elections. Islamist and conserBatiBe 4Ps added a clause reLuiring women to Fabide by Islamic law wDen Boting and campaigningJ. Pomen will be able to exercise tDeir new political rigDts for tDe first time in tDe ;667 parliamentary elections.

$De Kuwaiti parliament is a member of tDe Inter>Parliamentary #nion =IP#@ and tDe (rab Inter>Parliamentary #nion =(IP#@.

Judiciar

KuwaitKs legal system is based on tDe gyptian model and combines &ritisD common law: Islamic law: and tDe 3ttoman ciBil code. 0udges are appointed by tDe emir acting on tDe adBice of tDe .upreme 0udicial "ouncil. $De goBernment must approBe tDe renewal of most Iudicial appointments. 0udges wDo are citi?ens DaBe lifetime appointments. ( significant number of Iudges are non>citi?ens witD 5 to 8 year renewable contracts. "ontracts for non> citi?en Iudges are concluded witD tDe 4inistry of 0ustice. S) reme *)+i,i$& C-)!,i& > $De .upreme 0udicial "ouncil administers tDe Iudiciary and consists of tDe President and 1eputy of tDe "ourt of "assationN tDe President and 1eputy of tDe "ourt of (ppealN tDe (ttorney -eneral: tDe President of tDe al>Kulliyya "ourtN and tDe 1eputy 4inister of 0ustice. $De "ouncil is almost exclusiBely Iudicial in cDaracter except for tDe deputy minister of Iustice. $De .0": at tDe reLuest of tDe 4inister of 0ustice: Das tDe autDority to reBiew all matters related to tDe appointment: promotion and transfer of Iudges and members of tDe public prosecution. ( 5<99 reform significantly strengtDened tDe role of tDe .0" in its dealings witD tDe executiBe. .ince tDis reform tDe 4inistry of 0ustice is reLuired to consult witD tDe .0" on budgetary issues and tDe "ouncil giBes its opinion not only to tDe 4inistry but also to tDe parliament =tDat approBes tDe budget@.

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C-)r#" Ci.i& C-)r#"/ C-)r#" -0 Fir"# I!"#$!,e > .ubdiBided into administratiBe units witD speciali?ed IurisdictionsM ciBil: commercial: labor: personal status: penal matters: etc.
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Personal status cases are not assigned to a separate sDaria IudiciaryN instead: sections of tDe ciBil courts are designated to Dear personal status cases. 7or 4uslims: tDe courts rule on tDe basis of codified .unni law or .DiKi law depending on tDe litigants. )on>4uslims are goBerned by tDeir own laws. 'ulings are issued by a panel of tDree Iudges except in cases in wDicD tDe law proBides for a single Iudge ruling. e$&

C-)r#" -0 A > >

.it in panels of tDree Iudges. .erBe as intermediate and final courts of appeal for cases tDat cannot be appealed to tDe court of cassation.

C-)r# -0 C$""$#i-! > > > > .erBes as tDe final court of appeal. Is diBided into "ommercial: "iBil and "riminal &oards. $De "ourtKs Iudgments are not legally binding on tDe lower courts but are normally respected. 'ulings are issued by a panel of fiBe Iudges.

S e,i$& C-)r#"/ S#$#e Se,)ri#1 C-)r# > (bolisDed in 5<</.

C-!"#i#)#i-!$& C-)r# > > > *as exclusiBe Iurisdiction to interpret tDe constitutionality of legislation and is empowered to rule on electoral disputes. Is comprised of fiBe members wDo are cDosen by tDe 0udicial "ouncil by secret selection and one reserBe member wDo is appointed by decree by tDe emir. $De members are all senior Iudges from tDe ciBil Iudiciary. $De Iudgment of tDe "onstitutional "ourt is binding on all lower courts.

Local Government

$De local goBernment consists ofM > > 9 goBernorates 5 M)!i,i $& C-)!,i&

$De goBernorates exist largely as administratiBe units for tDe central goBernment. $De goBernor is appointed by means of a decree for a period of four years wDicD can be extended according to tDe Prime 4inisterEs decision. $De goBernor is considered a representatiBe of tDe executiBe autDority. *e contributes to superBising tDe execution of tDe stateKs public policy.
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Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms Kuwait

$Dere is only one municipality in Kuwait but witD many serBice brancDes in seBeral areas. $De 4unicipal "ouncil was establisDed in 5<8;. It is composed of sixteen members: of wDomM ten are elected and six appointed by tDe emir. It includes fiBe subcommittees tDat diBide up administratiBe responsibilities. 4unicipal autDorities control tDe administration of a number of public serBices =roads: urban planning: sanitation etc.@ but tDey DaBe little fiscal autonomy. $De last 4unicipal elections tooC place in 0une ;66/. 7or tDe first time: two women are among tDe six members appointed by tDe emir. 7or municipality polls: Kuwait is diBided into 56 constituencies eacD of wDicD elects one member.

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Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms Kuwait

!ights
"ersonal liberties

$De Kuwaiti constitution guarantees freedom of assembly: but tDis is restricted in practice. Public gatDerings reLuire goBernment approBal. 7reedom of opinion and expression and freedom of tDe press are guaranteed by tDe constitution witDin tDe limits of tDe law. 7reedom of religion and eLuality before tDe law are proBided for in tDe "onstitution but tDe goBernment places some restrictions on tDese rigDts in practice. $De -oBernment discriminates against tDe .DiKi minority: wDicD represents about a tDird of KuwaitKs natiBe population. .DiKa remain disadBantaged in tDe proBision of mosLues: access to .DiKi religious education and representation in upper leBels of goBernment. $Dere is one .DiKi "abinet member: fiBe )ational (ssembly members and one elected member of tDe 4unicipal "ouncil. (ltDougD tDe "onstitution proDibits tDe Finfliction of pDysical or moral inIury on an accused personJ some police and members of tDe security forces allegedly abused detainees during interrogation. $De "onstitution states tDat Fall people are eLual in Duman dignity and in public rigDts and duties before tDe lawJ yet tDe legal status of between 556:666 and 5/6:666 bidoon residents remain unresolBed. &idoon are (rabs wDo are residents in tDe country: some for generations: but wDo eitDer lacC or DaBe failed to produce documentation of tDeir nationality. $Deir undefined legal status is a result of state formation and tDe introduction of tDe uropean notion of citi?ensDip in diBerse and semi>nomadic societies wDere until recently tDe continuous moBement of tribal peoples across tDe borders witD neigDboring countries was an accepted fact. $De &idoon of Kuwait are tDe largest sucD group. .ince tDe mid 5<86Ks: tDe -oBernment Das discriminated against tDe bidoon in areas sucD as education: medical care: employment and mobility. In 4ay ;666 tDe -oBernment introduced legislation to attempt to resolBe tDe issue of tDe bidoon. $Dis included proBision annually to extend citi?ensDip to up to ;:666 bidoon wDo meet certain criteria. In ;66+ tDe goBernment approBed free education for all cDildren of bidoon parents and announced tDat bidoon would receiBe free DealtDcare starting in ;66/. $De )ew 2orC>based organi?ation *uman 'igDts PatcD proBides a compreDensiBe oBerBiew of Duman rigDts deBelopments in Kuwait.

Legislation regulating the exercise o# rights

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Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms Kuwait

P-&i#i,$& P$r#1 L$2" > Political parties are illegal. 1e facto: formal political groupings form to support candidates for tDe )ational (ssembly: and tDe candidates are usually organi?ed along ideological lines $De legal status of tDese political groupings is yet to be determined. $De constitution does not pronounce on tDeir legal position. (ltDougD it does not explicitly approBe tDe rigDt to form political parties: article +/ giBes organi?ations tDe FrigDt to address tDe autDoritiesJ and some taCe it as a proof of tDe legitimacy of forming political parties. $De uncertain legal status of tDese political groups limits tDeir effectiBe functioning.

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Re0-rm" U!+er Di",)""i-! > ,egali?ing parties would reLuire a constitutional amendment: wDicD needs botD a two>tDirds maIority support in parliament and tDe endorsement of tDe emir. In ;66+ a senior minister said tDat political parties would be allowed in tDe country at Fone stage.J 3n 0anuary ;<: ;66/ .unni Islamist actiBists declared tDe creation of tDe first political party. $De .ecretary -eneral of tDis new #mma Party: *aCem al>4atairi: said tDat tDe party was establisDed to promote pluralism: transfer power tDrougD peaceful means: and accomplisD tDe tasC of applying tDe proBisions of Islamic ,aw =.Daria@. $De Kuwaiti goBernment refused to license tDe new party and called in its founders for interrogation =later releasing tDem@. 4Ps from tDe liberal )ational (ction &loc proposed a draft political parties law on 1ecember 8: ;667. Political parties are illegal in Kuwait: altDougD political groups act as de facto parties. $De Kuwaiti constitution states tDat political parties sDould be allowed at some point in tDe deBelopment of parliamentary democracy. "licC 3ere for a summary of tDe draft law in (rabic.

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E&e,#-r$& L$2 > KuwaitKs cabinet approBed a maIor electoral reform in 0uly ;669 tDat reduced tDe number of electoral districts from twenty>fiBe to fiBe. Proponents of tDe amendment Dad long argued tDat tDe larger number of constituencies allowed for Bote>buying and tDat redistricting would reduce electoral corruption and maCe constituencies more representatiBe. #nder tDe new law: eacD of tDe fiBe districts will elect ten parliamentarians. > lection ,aw number 8/ of tDe year 5<9; ,aw was amended on 4ay 59: ;66/ to allow women to Bote and run for political office. 1iscussion on lowering tDe Boting age from ;5 to 58 or including military serBicemen was postponed indefinitely.
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Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms Kuwait

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#ntil recently Boting was restricted to males aboBe tDe age of ;5 wDo resided in Kuwait before 5<;6: tDeir male descendants and tDe descendants of naturali?ed citi?ens. 7urtDermore: naturali?ed citi?ens cannot Bote or seeC election to tDe )ational (ssembly for twenty years after naturali?ation. (s a conseLuence: only 586:666 people: about 5/Q of Kuwaiti nationals: Dad tDe rigDt to Bote. )eitDer Iudges nor members of tDe uniformed serBices =i.e. police and military personnel@ Bote. "andidates for tDe )ational (ssembly must nominate tDemselBes and run formally as independents.

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L$2 -! A""-,i$#i-!" > ,aw ;+: issued in 5<9;: controls tDe political and legal frameworC witDin wDicD associations in Kuwait operate. (ccording to ,aw ;+ tDe 4inistry of .ocial (ffairs monitors associations tDat receiBe state subsidies. (mendments to ,aw ;+ in 5<9/ proDibit associations from engaging in political actiBities. ,aw 88 of 5<9+ guarantees tDe rigDts of worCers and employers to form labor unions. $De law states tDat any union must include at least 566 worCers: 5/ of wDom must be citi?ens. $De I,3 Das critici?ed tDis reLuirement because it discourages unions in sectors tDat employ few citi?ens.

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Me+i$ L$2" > $De Kuwaiti parliament approBed a new press law on 4arcD 9: ;669 by unanimous Bote of tDe /8 4Ps present at tDe session. $De law: wDicD: replaces tDe 5<95 press and publications law: proDibits tDe arrest and detention of Iournalists until a final court Berdict is deliBered by tDe .upreme "ourt and allows citi?ens wDose applications for newspaper licenses are reIected to sue tDe goBernment in court =tDe 5<95 law gaBe applicants tDe rigDt to appeal only to tDe goBernment itself@. PDile tDe new law proDibits tDe closure of publications witDout a final court Berdict: publications may be suspended for up to two weeCs for inBestigation. It also bans Iailing Iournalists for all but religious offenses: criticisms of tDe emir: and calls to oBertDrow tDe goBernment: stipulating up to one year in Iail for tDese offenses and fines ranging between #.A57:666 and #.A76:666. $Dis last stipulation was tDe source of Deated debate in parliament as liberal 4Ps called for abolisDing all Iail terms wDile Islamist 4Ps insisted tDat Iail penalties must be greater for religious offenses.

$De 4inistry of Information runs tDe goBernment press and tDe radio and teleBision broadcasting stations. It operates tDe Kuwait )ews (gency =K#)(@ and tDe tDree stations of 'adio Kuwait and tDe Kuwait $eleBision station. $De only priBately owned Kuwaiti teleBision station was launcDed in 3ctober ;66+. 'esidents DaBe access to satellite broadcasting witDout goBernment interference. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace &undaci'n (ara las )elaciones Internacionales * el 5;
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Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms Kuwait

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$De "ouncil of 4inisters retains tDe autDority to suspend newspapers. $De -eneral 3rgani?ation of Printing and PublisDing controls tDe printing: publisDing: and distribution of informational materials. In ;668 tDe 4inistry of Information issued new regulations tDat reLuire Internet cafR owners to collect tDe names and ciBil identification numbers of customers. (ccording to tDe annual Porldwide Press 7reedom Index by 'eporters witDout &orders: Kuwait ranCs 98 of 59< countries. $De index runs from 5 =most press freedom@ to 59< =least press freedom@.

Re0-rm" U!+er Di",)""i-! > $De Prime 4inister Das recently stated tDat tDe goBernment supports proposals to grant new licenses for daily newspapers but tDat tDe process Das to be regulated. 3ne of tDese regulations allows licenses to be issued only to public sDareDolding companies and not to indiBiduals.

Per"-!$& S#$#)" L$2 > > $De Kuwaiti constitution proDibits gender discrimination. Pomen still face some degree of legal ineLuality: largely in relation to personal status law. PomenKs testimony is giBen less Balue in court proceedings. $De fatDer determines a cDildKs nationality. Pomen also face discrimination in diBorce and inDeritance decisions: but tDese rules Bary in accordance witD .DiKi and .unni doctrine. $De law forbids marriage between 4uslim women and non>4uslim men.

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!ecent Government Initiatives A##ecting !ights > 3n 4ay 5: ;669 KuwaitEs "onstitutional "ourt reBoCed 5/ clauses of tDe Public -atDerings ,aw )o. 9/ of 5<7<: wDicD restricted public gatDerings witDout prior permission from tDe autDorities. $De court ruled tDe law unconstitutional because it Biolated freedoms stipulated in tDe constitution. $De law was enacted in 5<7< by a decree from tDe late emir after De dissolBed parliament. 3bserBers belieBe tDis ruling sets a precedent in Kuwait by cDallenging tDe emergency powers of tDe emirN Distorically tDe "onstitutional "ourt Das sDied away from ruling on tDe constitutionality of laws issued in tDe absence of parliament. $De goBernment is considering cDanging foreign labor laws tDat create unfair conditions for KuwaitKs 5.8 million foreign worCers. 3ne of tDe cDanges under discussion relates to tDe issue of FsponsorsJ. $De regulation reLuiring foreigners worCing in tDe priBate sector to DaBe a FsponsorJ restricts tDeir moBements and puts undue power in tDe Dands of employers. Kuwait Das been cooperating witD tDe I,3 on cDanges to tDe sponsorsDip reLuirement. $De I,3
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>

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Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms Kuwait

proposed DaBing one goBernmental or independent body to sponsor all expatriate worCers and eliminate priBate sponsorsDip. > In 4ay ;66/ Kuwaiti parliament members submitted a draft law to combat religious extremism and Biolence in tDe context of tDe Biolence tDat tooC place in tDe country at tDe beginning of tDe year. $De draft law bans tDe issuing of religious fatwas by indiBiduals and calls for tDe setting up of a supreme council for fatwas and religion to be entrusted witD issuing fatwas related to contemporary issues. It also bans declaring any indiBidual or group as infidels and proposes DeaBy Iail terms for tDose carrying arms witD tDe aim of using tDese against security forces or otDer people.

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Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms Kuwait

"olitical Forces
"olitical parties

Political parties are formally banned: but de facto political groupings usually form along ideological lines. "andidates officially run as independents. Political -roupingsM > Islamic "onstitutional 4oBement =I"4@ > Is a political affiliate of tDe 4uslim &rotDerDood moBement. > Is a .unni Islamist moBement. > "alls for tDe implementation of .Daria law. Islamic Popular -rouping > .unni Islamist grouping. #mma Party =*i?b al>#mma@M > stablisDed in ;66/. > Is tDe only political group tDat calls itself a party. > .unni Islamist salafi moBement. > Its founders were cDarged witD plotting to oBertDrow tDe goBernment. Islamic )ational (lliance M > 4ain faction for .DiEa 4uslims. > > Kuwait 1emocratic 7orum Is a group of (rab nationalists and pan (rabists: many of tDem deputies in recent parliaments: wDo pursue a secularist agenda and DaBe often been critical of cabinet ministers. )ational 1emocratic (lliance .ecular progressiBes witD liberal tendencies. 0ustice and 1eBelopment 4oBement )ational 1emocratic 7orum $ribal "onfederations

> >

>

> > > > >

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Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms Kuwait

$ivil societ

$De ciBil society sector is small and composed of public interest associations: trade unions: and informal groups sucD as cooperatiBe societies. $Dere are /+ licensed official )on>goBernmental organi?ations =)-3s@. $De goBernment uses its power to license as a means of political control. $Dere are Dundreds of unlicensed and unofficial )-3s. $Dese do not receiBe goBernment subsidies and do not DaBe legal status. $De goBernment giBes partial financial support to licensed )-3s and Das tDe rigDt to dissolBe tDem at any time. $De first official Duman rigDts non>goBernmental organi?ation was establisDed in ;66+ wDen tDe 4inistry of .ocial (ffairs and ,abour granted a license to tDe Kuwait *uman 'igDts .ociety: some 56 years after it was formed. "ooperatiBe societies informally perform ciBic as well as economic tasCs. $Dey purcDase foodstuffs and DouseDold goods and distribute tDem tDrougD retail outlets. $De cooperatiBes control more tDan 86Q of tDe retail food marCet. acD Kuwaiti resident oBer 58 years of age is eligible to subscribe to tDe neigDborDoodKs cooperatiBe societies. .ubscribers are entitled to a sDare of tDe cooperatiBe societyKs annual profit: and all subscribers: including women: DaBe tDe rigDt to Bote. $o serBe on tDe board of a cooperatiBe is one way of deBeloping a support base in a particular neigDborDood and is a common step toward launcDing a campaign for election to tDe )ational (ssembly. $De 4inistry of .ocial (ffairs Das considerable superBisory powers oBer tDese societiesK actiBities. $Dere are numerous informal meetings or 1iwaniyas in Domes. $Deir number Das increased in recent years: and tDey play an important role in tDe political process. PorCers DaBe tDe rigDt to Ioin unions: but tDe goBernment Das restricted tDis rigDt by allowing only one union per occupational trade. PorCers DaBe tDe rigDt to organi?e and bargain collectiBely: but tDis is Bery rare in practice. $rade unions cannot be dissolBed witDout a court ruling. PorCerKs #nions are treated as para>statal organi?ations: wDicD receiBe goBernment subsidies =as mucD as <6Q of most union budgets@ after Betting and approBal by tDe 4inistry of .ocial (ffairs and ,abor. $De goBernmentKs oBersigDt powers tend to erode union independence. $De expanded unions tend to benefit only citi?ens employed in tDe public sector: wDile expatriate worCers continue to face restrictions. )on>citi?ens cannot Bote witDin unions or be elected. $rade unionsM ,ess tDan +Q of tDe worCforce was part of a union in ;668. Kuwait $rade #nion 7ederation
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Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms Kuwait

&anC PorCers #nion Kuwait (irways PorCers #nion Kuwait 3il "ompany PorCers #nion Kuwait Ports (utDority PorCers #nion -eneral "onfederation of Kuwaiti PorCers

.yndicates exist witDin Barious ministriesM .yndicate of tDe PorCers in 4inistry of *ealtD .yndicate of tDe PorCers in tDe 4inistry of ducation and *igDer ducation .yndicate of tDe PorCers in 4unicipality .yndicate of tDe PorCers in tDe 4inistry of Public PorCs

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Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms Kuwait

Election !esults

'esults of elections for tDe )ational (ssembly on 0une ;<: ;669M Islamic &locM 57 seats Independents =mostly pro>goBernment@M 59 seats Popular &locM < seats )ational (ction bloc =liberal@M 8 seats %oter turnoutM 9/Q. "licC 3ere for detailed results. 7or tDe first time in KuwaitKs Distory women were allowed to Bote and run in elections: but none of tDe ;8 women among a total of ;+< candidates won a seat. Pomen comprise /7Q of KuwaitKs 8+/:666 Boters. ( parliamentary committee establisDed in 0uly ;669 to inBestigate electoral Biolations declared tDat it Das eBidence of goBernment interference in tDe 0une parliamentary elections.

'esults of municipal elections Deld on 0une 5: ;66/M /+ candidates ran for ten seats in ten different constituencies. $ribal candidates won six seats: businessmen won two and .DiKa and .unni Islamist candidates won one eacD. 3f tDe 56 members: tDree retained tDeir seats of 5<<<: wDile a fourtD was a member of tDe 5<</ council. %oter turnout was around /6Q: 55Q lower tDan in tDe 5<<< elections.

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Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms Kuwait

$onstitutional !evision

$De emir or one>tDird of tDe )ational (ssembly DaBe tDe rigDt to propose reBising proBisions in tDe "onstitution by amending: deleting or adding new ones. If tDe emir and tDe maIority of tDe )ational (ssembly approBe tDe principle of reBision and its subIect matter: tDe (ssembly debates tDe bill article by article. (pproBal by a two>tDirds maIority is reLuired for tDe bill to be passed. $De proBisions relating to tDe emiri system in Kuwait cannot be amended. $De proBisions relating to tDe principles of liberty and eLuality cannot be amended except to increase tDeir guarantees. (rticle 578 of tDe "onstitution states tDat tDe law specifies tDe Iudicial body =tDe "onstitutional "ourt@ competent to decide disputes relating to tDe constitutionality of laws and regulations. $De -oBernment and tDe interested parties can cDallenge tDe constitutionality of laws and regulations before tDe "onstitutional "ourt. If tDe "onstitutional "ourt body decides tDat a law or a regulation is unconstitutional: it is considered null and Boid.

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Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms Kuwait

$orruption

Kuwait Das no special commissions or institutions cDarged witD eliminating corruption. (ltDougD anti>corruption initiatiBes are taCen up by tDe legislature: tDeir actions are not integrated into a compreDensiBe national strategy. ( new agency of ciBil serBice and performance eBaluation Das been establisDed. 0anuary ;668: tDe *igDer "ommittee for conomic 1eBelopment and 'eform undertooC a surBey in conIunction witD tDe Porld &anC tDat probed public attitudes about goBernment decision>maCing: including issues of goBernance: corruption: priBati?ation and public sector reform.
In

ParliamentKs ,egal and ,egislatiBe "ommittee unanimously approBed a draft law in 0anuary ;669 reLuiring top goBernment officials and 4Ps to disclose tDeir wealtD before assuming office and after leaBing tDeir posts as part of a measure to combat corruption. $ransparency InternationalKs "orruption Perception Index ;667 ranCs Kuwait 96tD out of 586 countries.

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Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms Kuwait

!ati#ication o# International $onventions

International "oBenant on "iBil and Political 'igDts =""P'@ on 4ay ;5: 5<<9.

International "oBenant on conomic: .ocial and "ultural 'igDts =" ."'@ on 4ay ;5: 5<<9. $De "onBention on tDe limination of (ll 7orms of $orture and 3tDer "ruel: InDuman or 1egrading $reatment or PunisDment ="($@ on 4arcD ;5: 5<<9. $De International "onBention on tDe limination of (ll 7orms of 'acial 1iscrimination =" '1@ on 3ctober 58: 5<98. $De "onBention on tDe limination of (ll 7orms of 1iscrimination against Pomen =" 1(P@ on .eptember ;: 5<<+. =witD a reserBation for conflicts witD Islamic ,aw@ $De "onBention on tDe 'igDts of tDe "Dild ="'"@ on 3ctober ;5: 5<<5.

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