Migrant workers are bearing the brunt of the coronavirus epidemic in the wealthy Gulf states. Often living in over-crowded accommodation, they are at particular risk of infection. Many are now also jobless. Some have been deported. Thousands more want to return home – but can't.
India… Read more
Archive: kuwait
17th April 2020
5th March 2017
In countries where gender discrimination is considered a social and religious necessity, the dividing line between male and female is not to be crossed. Men must behave and dress as men, and women as women – or face punishment.
In Saudi Arabia last week, police raided a gathering of Pakistanis who… Read more
4th February 2017
Robert Spencer, the notorious American Islamophobe who runs the Jihad Watch website, is jubilant at reports that Kuwait has stopped issuing visas to citizens of five Muslim countries – which he sees as vindication of Donald Trump's visa ban on seven Muslim countries.
"The US is not allowed to have… Read more
10th November 2014
The rich Gulf states have always been wary of granting citizenship to long-term residents of foreign origin. The result, in Kuwait, is more than 100,000 stateless people – many of them born in the country – who are known as bidoun.
"Bidoun" is Arabic for "without", and there are many rights and… Read more
23rd February 2014
This is the fifth in a series of blog posts exploring employment problems in the Arab Gulf states.
Part one: How it began
Part two: The iniquities of kafala
Part three: Female domestic workers
Part four: Working outside the rules
Part five: Jobs for citizens?
Part six: Jobs,… Read more
16th February 2013
The acquittal of five Kuwaitis accused of "offending the emir" on Twitter has raised hopes for a more sensible approach to freedom of expression online.
Human Rights Watch has called on the Kuwaiti authorities to "take a cue" from the court's decision and end the criminalisation of "peaceful… Read more
2nd December 2012
Here are key points (via AFP) from yesterday's parliamentary election in Kuwait. The parliament has 50 seats for elected members, plus six for unelected cabinet ministers.
Sunni Islamists down to four seats, from 23 previously.
Shia candidates won 15 seats – the largest number ever (al-Arabiya … Read more
5th November 2012
Despite a government ban on public gatherings of more than 20 people, thousands of Kuwaiti protesters succeeded in blocking the capital's outer ring road briefly before riot police confronted them with stun grenades and teargas yesterday.
AFP reports:
After elite special forces and police… Read more
2nd November 2012
Mussallam al-Barrak, a prominent opposition figure in Kuwait, has been released on bail of 10,000 dinars ($35,500) after thousands of protesters marched on the prison where he was being held and police responded with teargas and smoke bombs.
Barrack was arrested last Monday on charges of "… Read more
19th November 2011
Sixty-two people are now reported to have been arrested in Kuwait following a demonstration on Wednesday in which protesters invaded the parliament building.
The emir has called for "stricter measures to confront this chaotic behaviour" and the interior ministry says it will take "all necessary… Read more
ARAB ART ONLINE: Susan Hefuna: Al Sabr Gamil (Patience is Beautiful) 2007. Ink stained on wood 140 x 170 cm. More information | Click to enlarge
