Kuwait

This harsh sentence given to Abdul Hussein Al-Sultan could have serious consequences for press freedom in a country which up to now had been a model of freedom of expression in the Persian Gulf region, says RSF.

Shorouk Amin’s exhibit “World of a man” at the al-Mashreq gallery in the city of al-Salhiya was raided two hours after its opening by police forces, who seized all the paintings and closed down the gallery.

Authorities are urged to lift their suspension of “Al-Dar” and drop antistate charges lodged in connection with articles that sought to defend the country’s Shiite minority, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

Mohamed al-Melify has been detained on charges of “spreading false news that would divide the society”, “offending the Shiite Twelver doctrine”, and “libeling the MP Ahmed Lari.”

Three daily papers and a television station are under threat of judicial proceedings launched by the information minister, Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al Ali Al Sabah.

Travelling with human rights lawyer Abdel Hameed AlKameety, Ahmed Mansoor was prevented from entering the country “on the instructions of the Emirati security service,” and was threatened with detention.

The Interior Ministry issued a statement on January 11, 2012, saying that it will not allow the Bidun “to organize any rallies, gatherings, sit-ins or demonstrations regardless of their nature, objective and mission.”

Riot police fired tear gas canisters and used water hoses to disperse hundreds of demonstrators who gathered to demand citizenship rights.

“Naked Thoughts” by author Yusuf Khalifa has been banned by the authorities since 2007 for “abusing the ethics of society”.

Hamad Al-Alian and Tarek Al-Materi had been detained earlier this month but were granted temporary release on the occasion of Eid. They have now been charged with “prejudice to the monarchical entity” on Twitter.

State security authorities reportedly arrested Lawrence al-Rashidi after he posted a YouTube video calling for the emir to step down and accusing him of violating Kuwaitis’ rights.

Authorities accused Nasser Abul of insulting allied countries, offending the prince, and exposing national unity to danger.

“The government should allow demonstrators to speak and assemble freely – as is their right,” said Human Rights Watch.

Mohamed Abdel Qader Al-Jassem was convicted over an entry in his blog in which he accused Iranian intelligence services of meddling in Kuwait’s affairs.

The latest decision to close media outlets came only days after Al Jazeera’s office was ordered closed, following broadcast of disputed material.

The broadcaster’s office was closed and its journalists’ licences revoked after it reported on a security raid against opposition MPs.