Archive: kuwait
23rd February 2014
This is the fifth in a series of blog posts exploring employment problems in the Arab Gulf states.
Part one: How it began
Part two: The iniquities of kafala
Part three: Female domestic workers
Part four: Working outside the rules
Part five: Jobs for citizens?
Part six: Jobs,… Read more
16th February 2013
The acquittal of five Kuwaitis accused of "offending the emir" on Twitter has raised hopes for a more sensible approach to freedom of expression online.
Human Rights Watch has called on the Kuwaiti authorities to "take a cue" from the court's decision and end the criminalisation of "peaceful… Read more
2nd December 2012
Here are key points (via AFP) from yesterday's parliamentary election in Kuwait. The parliament has 50 seats for elected members, plus six for unelected cabinet ministers.
Sunni Islamists down to four seats, from 23 previously.
Shia candidates won 15 seats – the largest number ever (al-Arabiya … Read more
5th November 2012
Despite a government ban on public gatherings of more than 20 people, thousands of Kuwaiti protesters succeeded in blocking the capital's outer ring road briefly before riot police confronted them with stun grenades and teargas yesterday.
AFP reports:
After elite special forces and police… Read more
2nd November 2012
Mussallam al-Barrak, a prominent opposition figure in Kuwait, has been released on bail of 10,000 dinars ($35,500) after thousands of protesters marched on the prison where he was being held and police responded with teargas and smoke bombs.
Barrack was arrested last Monday on charges of "… Read more
19th November 2011
Sixty-two people are now reported to have been arrested in Kuwait following a demonstration on Wednesday in which protesters invaded the parliament building.
The emir has called for "stricter measures to confront this chaotic behaviour" and the interior ministry says it will take "all necessary… Read more
26th November 2010
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
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
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
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
ARAB ART ONLINE: Susan Hefuna: Al Sabr Gamil (Patience is Beautiful) 2007. Ink stained on wood 140 x 170 cm. More information | Click to enlarge
