On 18 June 2026, the Kuwaiti Court of Appeal sentenced comedian and content creator Bader Al-Hussainan to three years in prison, overturning an earlier acquittal. The ruling was issued in connection with a short video posted on Snapchat, in which Al-Hussainan appeared with others wearing military helmets in a satirical scene. Despite the video’s comedic[…]
31
Jul
Jul
In late February 2026, the government of Kuwait approved a draft decree amending the country’s nationality law, reinforcing its stated sovereign authority over citizenship matters. In fact, on February 17, the Cabinet – chaired by Prime Minister Ahmed Abdullah Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah – approved the amendments and referred them to the Emir for final endorsement. The[…]
28
Jan
Jan
Kuwait has always advertised itself as a more liberal Gulf state. However, current events provided a much more alarming picture of how state power is tightening its control over political speech and religious life, leaving little space for individuality, dissent, or fundamental liberties. Kuwait’s Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs released a statement that prohibits[…]
28
Nov
Nov
Although freedom of expression is recognized by law in Kuwait, it is heavily restricted in practice. Kuwait has been struggling with restrictions on free expression for many years; however, since late 2023 and through 2024 serious escalation began under Emir Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. Kuwait has been a State Party to the International Covenant on Civil[…]
12
Nov
Nov
Kuwait implemented the Kafala (sponsorship) system around the 1950s, initially implemented to control migration into Arab countries. Under the system, states are usually supposed to provide employers with enough funding, visas, and residency to allow the workers to be employed. Although Kuwait has made promises to reform its labor system, the Kafala framework still places[…]
