(WiPC/IFEX) – The WiPC of International PEN welcomes the release of writer, journalist and researcher Yasser al-Habib, who was amnestied by the emir on 25 February 2004, Kuwaiti National Day. However, PEN is deeply concerned at reports that security forces have attempted to re-arrest him without a warrant. Al-Habib was sentenced to one year in […]
(WiPC/IFEX) – The WiPC of International PEN welcomes the release of writer, journalist and researcher Yasser al-Habib, who was amnestied by the emir on 25 February 2004, Kuwaiti National Day. However, PEN is deeply concerned at reports that security forces have attempted to re-arrest him without a warrant. Al-Habib was sentenced to one year in prison on 20 January for “questioning the conduct and integrity of some of the ‘companions’ of the prophet Muhammad” in a lecture he had delivered. PEN considers the sentence to have been in violation of Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Kuwait is a signatory. PEN is seriously concerned that al-Habib may be at risk of imminent re-arrest, and urges the Kuwaiti authorities to guarantee his safety as a matter of urgency.
Al-Habib, who has worked for several Arabic-language newspapers, including the monthly “al-Menbar” (“The Pulpit”), was abducted on a Kuwait City street on the afternoon of 30 November 2003 by unidentified individuals and taken away in an unmarked vehicle. His family was not informed that he had been detained by security forces until the following day. Al-Habib was arrested in connection with an audiocassette recording of a lecture on Islamic historical issues that he gave to an audience of 10 to 20 people in a closed setting. His research is believed to have relied heavily on Wahhabi references and texts, and is said to have angered hardline Wahhabi groups who used their influence within the establishment to bring about the maximum punishment against al-Habib. He was released on 25 February as part of a prisoner amnesty to mark Kuwaiti National Day, but according to PEN’s information the Wahhabi lobby within the National Assembly has pressured the justice minister to order al-Habib’s re-arrest.
