KUWAIT CITY, Jan 27: Kuwait Human Rights Society (KHRS) has criticised the “actions and policy of the Ministry of Interior” who it say attempts to silence anyone who tries to express an opinion on the current situation in the country.

In a statement, KHRS said the policy the Interior Ministry adopts in dealing with demonstrators and individual opinions is very strict, as people expressing an opinion and or posting tweets have been referred for investigation and cases leveled against them for allegedly threatening state security.

“These practices infringe the human rights and public freedoms the Constitution and laws of Kuwait guarantee, just as these contradict what Kuwait stands for or advocates at the international forums, as this country stresses the importance of democracy and respecting the principle of freedom of speech.

These are the same rights Kuwait has always protected, while she’s considered a pioneering country in the Arabian Gulf region to have protected rights and freedom,” the statement said.

The statement added the methods the Interior Ministry employs against tweeters and members of the opposition – among them outstanding opposition figures, are catastrophic in terms of human rights and liberty, as these threaten the future of human rights and freedom in the country.

Kuwait Human Rights Society called on investigation bodies and the judiciary to carefully peruse evidence presented to them, devoid of influence, as the Interior Ministry has already referred several tweeters, opinion leaders and members of opposition for investigation, as well as to the courts.

It reiterated that court rulings must be based on certainty and not suspicion or guesses, in order to safeguard and protect rights and liberties in the State of Kuwait in the future.

Also:
KUWAIT CITY: Some activists have asked the Interior Ministry to stop the repression of youths who merely express their opinions, especially since Kuwait’s Constitution guarantees freedom of expression, reports Al-Qabas daily quoting sources.
Sources revealed the activists made the appeal on a social networking site, while stressing the need to grant more freedom to the people and strengthen democracy.
Sources said the activists also announced their plan to hold a sit-in at Kuwait International Airport on Wednesday to express their views on the recent confrontation between the demonstrators and security forces.