Kuwait tightens laws against torture and attacks on police and judiciary

KUWAIT CITY, September 14: Kuwait has made significant changes to its penal code, introducing tougher penalties for attacks on police officers, state officials and members of the judiciary. The new laws also provide harsh consequences for torture used to extract confessions, with penalties ranging from prison sentences to fines. These reforms aim to improve protections for public officials and ensure that those who engage in abusive or discriminatory practices are held accountable.

Attack on police officers: A penalty of up to five years in prison and a fine of 5,000 dinars will be imposed on anyone who attacks police officers, military personnel or guards while they are breaking up gatherings or demonstrations.

Insulting public employees: Persons found guilty of insulting public officials may be punished with up to three months' imprisonment and a maximum fine of 300 dinars.

Waiver restrictions: Victims working in the public sector are no longer allowed to waive or settle a complaint related to an attack against them.

Insulting the judiciary and law enforcement authorities: Anyone who insults members of the judiciary, prosecutors, police, military or guards will be punished with up to one year in prison and a fine of up to 1,000 dinars.

Confessions extracted through torture: Penalties for state officials who torture people to extract confessions have been increased to up to 5 years in prison and a fine of no more than 5,000 dinars, or either. This applies to both psychological and physical torture.

Punishments for witnesses of tortureAny official who witnesses torture, condones it, or remains silent about it despite having the authority to prevent it shall be punished in the same way as the perpetrator.

Discriminatory torture: If the forced confession is obtained through discriminatory practices, the punishment increases to up to 7 years in prison and a fine not exceeding 10,000 dinars, or one of the following penalties.

Torture that leads to death: If torture results in death, the accused is charged with premeditated murder.

Severe penalties for accompanying offences: If the torture is accompanied by an act punishable by a more severe penalty, the accused will be subjected to a more severe punishment.