Human rights in Kuwait are a topic of significant concern. Most notably, Kuwait's handling of the stateless Bedoon crisis has come under substantial criticism from international human rights organisations and the United Nations. Kuwait has the largest number of stateless people in the entire region. Kuwait also faces significant criticism for the human rights violations against foreign nationals, women, and LGBT people. Although Kuwaiti law theoretically pledges to protect all human rights; the enforcement mechanisms designed to help protect human rights are very limited in Kuwait.
Abdullah Al-Roumi is a Kuwaiti politician and lawyer who served as the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Justice, and Supreme Attorney General of Kuwait. Notably, he was appointed Deputy Prime Minister in April 2021, marking the first time someone outside the ruling family held the position. Prior to his executive appointments, Al-Roumi was an elected member of the Kuwaiti National Assembly from the first district since 1985, known for his liberal and independent stance.
Jabir Al-Azmi is a former Kuwaiti politician, representing the fifth district. Born in 1970, Al-Azmi studied Sharia law and worked in at the Kuwait Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs before being elected to the National Assembly in 2006.
Jamaan Al-Harbash is a member of the Kuwaiti National Assembly representing the second district.
Nasser Jassim Abdullah Khalifa Al-Sane is a former member of the Kuwaiti National Assembly representing the third district. Born in 1955, Al-Sane obtained a PhD in Business Administration before being elected to the National Assembly in 1992. While political parties are illegal in Kuwait, Al-Sane affiliates with the Islamist Hadas party.
Mikhled Rashid Saad Gharib Al-Azmi is a former member of the Kuwaiti National Assembly representing the first district. While political parties are technically illegal in Kuwait, Al-Azmi affiliates with Islamist deputies.
Marzouq Al-Hubaini Al-Azmi is a member of the Kuwaiti National Assembly, representing the fifth district. Born in 1952, Al-Azmi studied business administration and worked in the National Council before being elected to the National Assembly in 1996. While political parties are technically illegal in Kuwait, Al-Azmi is part of the Popular Action Bloc.
Saleh Ashour is a former member of the Kuwaiti National Assembly who represented Constituency One from 1999 until 2020 and again in 2022.
Khaled Sultan bin Essa was a member of the Kuwaiti National Assembly, representing the second district. Bin Essa earned an MA in business administration and was Chairman of the Kuwait Graduates Society before being elected to the National Assembly in 2008.
Adel Al-Saraawi is a former member of the Kuwaiti National Assembly, representing the third district. Al-Saraawi studied accounting before being elected to the National Assembly in 2003. He is considered an Independent deputy, but affiliates with the Islamist members.
Faisal Al-Meslim Al-Osaimi Al-Otaibi is a former Kuwaiti politician, representing the third district. Born in 1962, Al-Meslim studied Political History at the University of Wales and worked as a professor before being elected to the National Assembly in 2003. Al-Otaibi is considered an Independent deputy and affiliates with the Islamist members.
Waleed Al-Tabtabaie is a former member of the Kuwaiti National Assembly representing the third district. Born on April 4, 1964, Al-Tabtabaie obtained a PhD in Islamic studies from Al-Azhar and was an assistant professor at Kuwait University before being elected to the National Assembly in 1996. Al-Tabtabaie affiliated with the Islamist deputies.
Mohammed Hayef Sultan Areej Al-Mutairi is a Kuwaiti politician and member of the Kuwaiti National Assembly representing the fourth district. Born in 1964, Al-Mutairi studied Islamic studies and served in the Kuwait Municipality before being elected to the National Assembly in 2008. Al-Mutairi affiliates with Islamist deputies.
Kuwait National Assembly No-Confidence Votes are a process of questioning Cabinet ministers, which can lead to their impeachment. The government usually avoids impeachment through resignations, reshuffles and dissolving the legislature. Since its inception in 1962, the National Assembly of Kuwait has questioned more than 30 ministers, forcing some to resign, but only done so with a premier once on March 28, 2012.
Important political issues in the Kuwait include rights for immigrant workers, stateless people, and education reform. Kuwait has the largest number of stateless people in the entire region. The Bedoon issue in Kuwait is largely sectarian.
The first bill which would have given women the right to vote in Kuwait was put to the parliament in 1963. It was ultimately overturned due to pressure from the Al Sabah ruling family. Bills continued to be denied through 1985 and 1986. Kuwait then became heavily involved in the Iraq-Iran war, and women began demanding recognition for their efforts in keeping their families and society functional. The parliament agreed and the first woman was finally appointed as the ambassador of the Persian Gulf in 1993. In 1996, 500 women stopped working for an hour to show solidarity in their right for suffrage, and demonstrations continued throughout the next 6 years. In May 1999 a decree that allowed women the right to vote and run for office was issued by the emir; however, it was overruled again by the parliament 6 months later.
The Bedoon or Bidoon, fully Bidoon jinsiya, are stateless people in several Middle Eastern countries, but particularly in Kuwait, where there is a large population of stateless people who lack access to many of the country's basic services. It is widely believed that the Bedoon issue in Kuwait is sectarian in nature.
The Kuwaiti nationality law is the legal pathway for non-nationals to become citizens of the State of Kuwait. The Kuwaiti nationality law is based on a wide range of decrees; first passed in 1920 and then in 1959. An Amiri decree was passed later in 1960. Since the 1960s, the implementation of the nationality law has been very arbitrary and lacks transparency. The lack of transparency prevents non-nationals from receiving a fair opportunity to obtain citizenship. A number of amendments were made in 1980, 1982, 1994, 1998, and 2000.
Snap general elections were held in Kuwait on 6 June 2023 to elect 50 of the 65 members of the National Assembly. The elections took place following the annulment of the results of the 2022 snap elections by the Constitutional Court on 19 March 2023 and the redissolution of the 16th session on 2 May.
Snap general elections were held in Kuwait on 4 April 2024 to elect 50 of the 65 members of the National Assembly. The election came after the dissolution of the National Assembly elected in 2023 on 15 February 2024 due to an MP allegedly insulting Emir Mishal Al-Ahmad. The elections were the first to be held during Mishal Al-Ahmad's reign and the fourth election held within four years.
