Archive: kuwait

26th November 2010
By: Brian Whitaker
There's a very strange story going around that Kuwait has banned the use of digital SLR cameras (the sort with interchangeable lenses) in public places, except when used by accredited journalists. Now, I know that Arab governments have a propensity for banning the most unlikely things for the most… Read more
20th October 2010
By: Brian Whitaker
Following the attack on a privately-owned TV station in Kuwait on Sunday, Reuters reports that two members of the royal family have been called for questioning by the public prosecutor. The station, Scope TV, has accused Sheikh Faisal al-Malik al-Sabah, who is Kuwait's ambassador to Jordan, and his… Read more
18th October 2010
By: Brian Whitaker
An angry mob stormed a privately-owned television station in Kuwait on Sunday. The group, said to number at least 150, smashed windows and overturned furniture at Scope TV. About 10 people were reportedly injured. The Kuwait Times says the station accused the attackers of being under the guidance… Read more
9th September 2010
By: Brian Whitaker
Kuwait began recruiting women into its police force earlier this year and now has about 60. The move was highly controversial and is still opposed by some Islamist MPs.  One MP, Mohammed Hayef, was quoted as saying their role is "an abuse to the female identity, a violation of Islamic ethics and a… Read more
14th May 2010
By: Brian Whitaker
The UN Human Rights Council has been looking at Kuwait this month under its periodic review system. As is now customary at these sessions, the Kuwaiti minister of social affairs, Mohammad al-Afasi, gave an upbeat assessment of the country's human rights achievements and its future good intentions.… Read more
22nd April 2010
By: Brian Whitaker
A Kuwaiti woman who killed her Asian maid has had her 15-year jail sentence reduced to seven years by an appeal court.  The woman, who has not been named, reportedly hit the maid with "iron and wooden objects", then pushed her into a bathtub and left her motionless for 10 hours until she died.  The… Read more
19th April 2010
By: Brian Whitaker
Allegations of vote-buying are casting a cloud over the results of the great Arabic TV poetry contest which ended earlier this month. Nasser al-Ajami, a Kuwaiti, walked away with the the top prize of $1.36m. But it has now emerged that victory came at a price: his tribe spent millions of dinars [… Read more
11th December 2009
By: Brian Whitaker
A bill that aims to grant civil rights to almost 100,000 stateless Arabs in Kuwait was stymied yesterday because too few MPs turned up to discuss it. The debate had been scheduled for December 10 to coincide with International Human Rights Day but only 26 MPs and five ministers were present – two… Read more
10th December 2009
By: Brian Whitaker
Kuwait's prime minister, Sheikh Nasser Mohammed al-Ahmed al-Sabah, is due to face a no-confidence motion in parliament next week following six hours' questioning by MPs behind closed doors. The questioning of Sheikh Nasser – who is the emir's nephew – was an unprecedented political event in Kuwait… Read more
24th November 2009
By: Brian Whitaker
There are signs that Kuwaiti MPs may finally get an opportunity to question their prime minister. If it happens, this would be a milestone for parliamentary government and it could bring an end to a long succession of political crises. The questioning of ministers, which can lead to a vote of no… Read more