Til trods for at retten til offentlige forsamlinger er nedfældet i Kuwaits forfatning, så holder myndighederne fast i et forbud mod demonstrationer. Det skriver Human Rights Watch på sin hjemmeside.
BEIRUT, 10. November 2012: Kuwait’s authorities should revoke a ministerial order to ban all demonstrations because it denies the right to peaceful assembly.
Since October 15, 2012, security forces have used teargas and stun grenades to disperse at least three large rallies protesting an effort by the country’s ruler to amend the country’s electoral law in a way that might reduce opposition representation in parliament.
“The right to peaceful assembly is enshrined in the constitution Kuwaitis will be celebrating,” said Joe Stork, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. “Authorities should lift the ban and permit people to express their views.”
Some of the rallies brought out tens of thousands of protesters, such as a “March of Dignity” on October 20 – the largest in the country’s history. The Interior Ministry justified the use of force to disperse protesters, saying that they “rioted and used violence,” “threw stones at police forces,” and “blocked traffic.” At the October 20 event, dozens of people were injured, according to news reports, including at least 11 policemen, according to the Interior Ministry.
However accounts from Kuwaiti human rights activists and videos examined by Human Rights Watch indicate that the demonstrations have been largely peaceful. In any event the use of violence by some protesters would not justify as drastic a step as the prohibition of all demonstrations. Restrictions on the right to peaceful assembly must be proportionate, Human Rights Watch said.
Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, Kuwait’s emir, issued the decree to amend the electoral law on October 19. The next day, the Interior Ministry warned that it would “absolutely not allow” sit-ins, gatherings, and marches regardless of how long they will last except within a designated area near the National Assembly building in Kuwait City.
After the October 20 protest, the ministry issued another statement on October 21 saying that it would “absolutely not allow any marches regardless of the reasons and motives.
Læs mere på Human Rights Watchs hjemmeside: http://www.hrw.org/news/2012/11/10/kuwait-lift-protest-ban
