Minister of Justice Nasser Al-Sumait during Cabinet Meeting

KUWAIT CITY, April 29: Minister of Justice Nasser Al-Sumait announced on Tuesday that the Council of Ministers has approved a draft decree-law to abolish Article 182 of the Penal Code, which previously allowed kidnappers to avoid punishment if they legally married their victims with the consent of the guardian.

Speaking to KUNA following the Cabinet’s weekly meeting, Minister Al-Sumait said the move reflects Kuwait’s commitment to upholding human dignity, reinforcing individual rights and freedoms, and aligning national legislation with international human rights standards. These include the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

He emphasized that repealing Article 182 sends a strong message that no justification—social, legal, or otherwise—will be accepted to excuse crimes such as kidnapping. The decision marks a significant step toward strengthening justice and protecting victims from societal pressures that may undermine their rights.

Al-Sumait added that the repeal is part of a broader legislative reform initiative to enhance victim protection and reaffirm the principle that crimes cannot be legitimized through violations of basic human rights. Article 182 previously stated that a kidnapper would not face punishment if he married the kidnapped woman with her guardian’s approval and the guardian requested leniency.