Opposition parliamentarians and activists have called for a rally at the so-called Irada Square today to protest against possible changes to an electoral law which they say could weaken their chances at the next polls.
The government has asked Kuwait’s top court to rule on a 2006 law that divides the country into five constituencies, saying the verdict is needed to protect against possible legal challenges to future parliamentary elections.
But some opposition figures say this is a bid to abolish the current boundaries and gerrymander victory in elections expected this year or next.
The court is due to rule on the government’s petition on Sept 25. “Calls for organising a rally, gathering and sit-in in Al-Irada (Square) undermine security and threaten public order,” the Interior Ministry said in a statement, according to state news agency KUNA. The ministry “warned that it would act firmly against such unlicensed gatherings”, KUNA said.
The ministry respects citizens’ freedom of expression “provided they refrain from violating laws or carrying out acts against public security and others’ freedom of expression”, KUNA said. The ministry urged nationals to refrain from responding to calls, made through the media and various social networks, inciting them to participate in illegal gatherings and sit-ins.
It reminded the prospected violators of stiff penalties stipulated by relevant laws. Article 34 of Kuwait’s penal codes No. 31 for 1970 stipulates that any assembly of five people in a public area to commit a crime or harm state security and refusal to leave after orders from relevant authority be punished by imprisonment for one year and a fine of KD 100, one or both penalties.
Decree-law No. 65 (1979) regulates the holding of demonstrations, escorts and gatherings and mentions penalties against violators, such as imprisonment for two years and a KD 1,000 fine – one or both penalties – namely against organizers who do not obtain a license.
The law also stipulates a year in prison and KD 500 fine, one or both penalties, against a person who calls for such actions without a license. A participant in such unlicensed activities is to be imprisoned for three months, and/or compelled to pay KD 200. The ministry urged the citizens to abide by instructions of the security personnel and cooperate with them for their safety’s sake.
Meanwhile, members of the opposition “majority” bloc and its youth movement yesterday said they will not sleep in Irada Square, rather they will stay there until dawn before going home as they did previously in front of the palace of justice when those who stormed the Assembly were being questioned.
Sources close to the bloc said they will bring mattresses, tea and coffee and hold a diwaniya until dawn, pray and then leave. They said this does not violate an Interior Ministry decision that bans sleeping in the square.
But informed sources said members of the majority bloc have told youth movements to hold demonstrations following the sit-in, although they previously rejected such actions.
They said that the bloc discussed the matter and decided that if the government ignores the bloc and its sit-ins, “it is better to force the government to face them, as this may make the government commit mistakes that bloc members can use as material to address citizens”.
Sources said the bloc members hope for a clash with police and be treated harshly “so they can tell the people that they are practicing a constitutional right and the authorities are attacking them”.
While Kuwait has not experienced the kind of mass popular uprisings that have rocked the Arab region since last year, political tensions have grown. With its elected legislature, lively political debate and media, Kuwait differs from most of its neighbours in a region mostly governed by autocrats who quash dissent.
But Kuwait’s ruling family retains its grip on state affairs. HH the Amir picks the prime minister who in turn forms a Cabinet, with the most important posts held by members of the royal family. Some opposition figures have called for an elected government instead.
Around 3,000 Kuwaitis protested over the electoral law on Aug 27 at a peaceful rally at Erada with light police presence. They also criticised a court ruling from earlier this year that effectively dissolved a parliament dominated by opposition lawmakers and reinstated the previous, more government-friendly, Assembly.
At the height of frequent demonstrations last year over a political corruption scandal, tens of thousands of youth activists, opposition lawmakers and their followers took part in rallies, culminating in a brief storming of parliament in November.
