Security forces arrest 16 Bidun protesters
On 1 May, between 200 and 300 Bidun gathered near al-Sha’bi mosque in Taima’a to demand government action on their citizenship claims and resolution of their stateless status only to be met with force and arrests.
Authorities urged to reconsider death penalty amendment
The National Assembly voted in favour of a legal amendment which could make insulting God and the Prophet Mohammed punishable by death.
Writer sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment
Mohamed al-Melify was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment and a fine of 18 thousand dollars on charges of spreading false news about about sectarian divisions in the country as well as libeling MP Ahmed Lari.
News website blocked
Kuwait is not the first state that has blocked “al-Watan”‘s website: it is blocked within Saudi Arabia and Syria, and was blocked in both Egypt and Tunisia during their revolutions.
Newspaper editor sentenced to six months’ imprisonment
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.
Art exhibit raided, gallery closed down
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.
Daily suspended for “creating sectarian strife”
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.
Writer detained on libel charges
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.”
Electoral campaign marred by attacks, prosecutions against media
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.
“UAE 5” activist denied entry into Kuwait
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.
Authorities urged not to deny the Bidun’s right to freedom of expression
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.”
Bidun residents, media personnel detained following protest
Riot police fired tear gas canisters and used water hoses to disperse hundreds of demonstrators who gathered to demand citizenship rights.
Short story collection banned
“Naked Thoughts” by author Yusuf Khalifa has been banned by the authorities since 2007 for “abusing the ethics of society”.
Bloggers investigated for anti-monarchy posts
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.
Call for release of jailed Internet scribes
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.
Blogger detained for criticising Saudi and Bahraini governments on Twitter
Authorities accused Nasser Abul of insulting allied countries, offending the prince, and exposing national unity to danger.