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Kuwait

Former MP banned from entering country, citizens summoned for showing solidarity online

10/10/2024

The authorities in Kuwait banned former MP Shuaib Al-Muwaizri from entering the country in a blatant violation of the country’s constitution, and also summoned citizens who showed solidarity with him online, in continuation of its repressive policies, including violations of digital rights, that have been pursued since dissolving the National Assembly in May 2024. 

On 04 October 2024, Al-Muwaizri announced on his X account his intention to return to his country, Kuwait, the next day at night., In his tweet, he asked the Ministry of Interior to confirm they would be “respecting people’s rights and not violating their privacy, and not linking the biometric fingerprint to closures and curfews, and that it will not be used as a means of forcing vaccination, and ensuring that the database cannot be hacked.” He confirmed his refusal to have his biometric fingerprint taken without providing him with these guarantees.

Upon his arrival on 05 October 2024, security forces at Kuwait International Airport detained him and prevented him from entering the country, in flagrant violation of Article 28 of the Kuwaiti Constitution of 1962, which states, “No Kuwaiti may be deported from Kuwait or prevented from returning thereto.”

On 04 October 2024, Interior Minister Sheikh Al-Yousef announced in press statements, “I will not allow any citizen to enter Kuwait without a biometric fingerprint.” On the same day, the Ministry of Interior issued a clarification regarding its Minister’s statements on its X account, stating, “No one can prevent Kuwaitis from entering Kuwait and no one can force them to leave their country.”

However, after the Ministry of Interior refused to give him the guarantees he requested, on 09 October 2024, Al-Muwaizri left his country after being detained for more than three days, which the Ministry of Interior confirmed in a statement on its X account.

Al-Muwaizri is 65 years old and was elected to the National Assembly in December 2020.

In addition, press reports stated that on 08 October 2024, the State Security Apparatus summoned a number of citizens, including former MPs and bloggers, for investigation due to expressing their solidarity with Al-Muwaizri on their social media pages. Social media networks, including X, witnessed a wide solidarity campaign by citizens who used the hashtag: #Shuaib_Al-Muwaizri

Recommendations

The Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR) declares its solidarity with former MP Shuaib Al-Muwaizri, as well as with all citizens, including former MPs and Internet activists who were summoned by the State Security Apparatus, and condemns the Ministry of Interior’s clear violation of the Constitution, that includes restrictions of citizens’ right to freedom of movement. The authorities must prioritise the protection of the civil and human rights of all citizens without discrimination, and cannot restrict their rights simply because they have legitimate questions about some of the applications and electronic tools they use, including biometric fingerprint.

GCHR calls on the Kuwaiti government to work hard to ensure respect for citizens’ public freedoms, primarily freedom of expression and digital rights, and their right to question and hold the government accountable – including through online activism – for the public services it provides them.