MP queries court verdict declaring protests as crime against honesty

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KUWAIT CITY, March 17: The Court of Cassation recently issued a verdict to not only convict those who participate in demonstrations, incite others to participate in them, and resist security operatives, but also prohibit them from exercising their right to vote and stand for candidacy in elections, as the aforementioned offenses are considered as crime against honor and honesty, reports Aljarida daily quoting legal sources.

They stressed that it also extends to disruption in the right of citizens to work in some institutions within the public and private sectors, adding that, when a criminal judgment is issued against any of the suspects, legal or judicial rehabilitation is necessary prior to their appointment. In response to such a verdict, MP Mohammad Al-Dalal explained that demonstrations cannot be considered as a crime. They must be regulated by law and based on special mechanisms in line with the fundamental and constitutional rights related to public freedoms.

Therefore, demonstrations are not a crime against honor and honesty, as deemed by the Court of Cassation. He highlighted that demonstrations for claiming rights are internationally guaranteed, as mentioned in the United Nations human rights conventions which have been signed by Kuwait, stressing that human rights organizations have previously condemned the suppression of several past demonstrations by Kuwaiti authorities.

MP Al-Dalal insisted that demonstrations are not wrong unless they exceed the permissible limit or involve assaulting or abusing others. He said the decision-maker in this matter is the court, but it is absolutely unacceptable to consider demonstrations as a crime against honor and honesty

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