‘Kuwait mulls $1mn fine for emir critics’

On Thursday, local Kuwaiti newspapers published leaked details of the bill that the Kuwaiti cabinet had proposed.

According to reports, the draft bill stipulates a fine of between 50,000 dinars (about $175,000) and 300,000 dinars (about $1.05 million) for criticizing the emir or the crown prince.

Under the current law, those who criticize Kuwait’s emir face trial under the penal code and receive a jail term of up to five years.

The draft law further offers a jail term of up to 10 years as a penalty, which would be applied to those who incite the overthrow of the government.

If approved, the bill would also extend the government control over all social networks including Twitter, blogs and electronic publications, which require a license from Kuwait’s Information Ministry.

The new bill should first be passed by the Kuwaiti parliament and signed by Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah before taking effect.

The oil-rich Persian Gulf state has imprisoned several opposition tweeters, activists and former members of parliament on charges of defaming the emir.

Meanwhile, France-based organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has slammed the Kuwaiti draft law, calling on Kuwait’s parliament to reject it.

“We are outraged by the government’s desire to use this draconian law to control information and restrict freedom of expression,” RSF stated.

The group added that the adoption of such a bill would pose a terrible threat to media freedom.

“We point out that freedom of information is a fundamental freedom enshrined in article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Kuwait ratified this declaration and must respect its national and international obligations,” Reporters Without Borders said.

MKA/HSN

Source Article from http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2013/04/12/297828/kuwait-mulls-1mn-fine-for-emir-critics/

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