Authorities in Kuwait continue to detain former National Assembly candidate Mesaed Al-Quraifa in flagrant violation of his right to freedom of expression.

On 23 April 2024, Al-Quraifa was arrested after the Public Prosecution ordered his pretrial detention on charges of allegedly “insulting the authority of the emirate” during a symposium he held at his electoral headquarters when he ran for the 2024 National Assembly elections.

The Public Prosecution decided to imprison him for 21 days pending investigations after he denied all charges against him. He was placed in the central prison. Reliable local reports confirmed that he was prevented from meeting his family members or his lawyer, in violation of local laws and human rights conventions.

His arrest and imprisonment are related to comments he made during the election symposium he held on 30 March 2024 with local residents under the title, “What Must Be Said”. Among his comments was, “Kuwait is not a testing ground for members of the ruling family.” He also defended the rights of all citizens to participate in creating a new, prosperous future.

Citizens, including a number of representatives, denounced the way he was arbitrarily arrested from his home instead of summoning him for investigation because he had a known residence. They also demanded his release, and rejected the arbitrary use of the law. The campaign of solidarity with him also continues on social media.

Al-Quraifa uses his account on the X website to express his personal opinions on public affairs. On 15 April 2024, he posted the following tweet, “The continuation of the current situation is a danger to the future of the country… The political system must be reformed so that it is effective and the people have their role and say in forming the government.”

On 01 May 2024, in a hearing held to consider his case, the Criminal Court decided to postpone his trial until 08 May 2024, and refused to release him on bail.

The Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR) denounces the arbitrary detention of former National Assembly candidate Mesaed Al-Quraifa, and calls on the authorities in Kuwait to release him immediately. Al-Qarifa’s demand for comprehensive reform, an end to corruption, and his defense of citizens’ civil and human rights does not merit targeting him with arbitrary arrest and imprisonment on fabricated charges. Rather, the government must respect and protect the other opinion.

GCHR calls on the government of Kuwait to work hard to ensure respect for the civil and human rights of citizens, especially freedom of expression.