Protest of 150,000 is 'small fry' but Kuwait's emir promises crackdown on corrupt family
Rate Article:
Kuwait’s Emir has pledged the full application of the law, insisting that no preferential treatment will be extended to anyone, including members of his own family.
“We are not enemies and Kuwait will always remain safe,” Shaikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah said. “We will make sure that nobody transgresses the law because it is above all. We do not have big names or small names and the law would apply to everyone. In fact, we have already applied it against two members of our family,” Shaikh Sabah told a gathering of diwaniya — a private social gathering hall— heads.
“Please do speak out your views and opinions. We cannot do without them. We are not angels. So, if you have any view that would benefit Kuwait, please say it. The crown prince and I welcome your views,” he said.
The capital, Kuwait City, was this week rocked by the worst violent standoff between anti-riot police and demonstrators who wanted to push their way to the government’s seat to protest against the amendment of the 2006 electoral law through a necessity decree. The law up to last week gave each Kuwaiti voter the right to elect four candidates in parliamentary elections in the five constituencies. However, the new law limits the number of votes to one candidate and promotes the principle of “one man, one vote”.
The opposition claimed the amendment meant to have a more compliant parliament and pledged to take to the streets to press against any changes to the electoral law. On Sunday evening, three rallies were staged in the capital. Police used teargas and stun grenades to disperse the demonstrators who challenged instructions from the interior ministry to confine protests to the Irada Square and to avoid street rallies.
No final official figures about the casualties have been released, although 14 service men were believed to have sustained wounds in the violence.
The Emir said that Kuwait should move forward instead of being held back. “I want to assure you that there is nothing to fear. There was just a small number of people who abused the situation. We remained patient for around three years and we pray that God guides them,” the Emir said.
“Unfortunately, the country has reached a dangerous level and was almost lost. There was chaos and we were forced to use peaceful ways to address the situation. The interior minister and officers were keen that nobody gets hurt. Unfortunately, 14 security men were attacked and the units had to intervene.” Demonstrators claimed that they were moving on peacefully and that they were attacked by the police.
However, officials said that the rallies were illegal and that the interior ministry had warned that it would apply a zero-tolerance policy against those who broke the law. “We told the authorities to release the young people who were arrested and to allow them to spend Eid with their families,” Shaikh Sabah said. Opposition figures said that they would look at their options following Eid Al Adha, to be celebrated this weekend.
Do you think the Kuwaiti authorities are worried? Or have the significance of the protests been overblown? Tell us what you think below.
© Al Nisr Publishing LLC 2012. All rights reserved.Rate Article:
EDITOR’S CHOICE
Top Headlines
MOST DISCUSSED
MOST POPULAR
I do not feel they are 'worried' per se, but I would go so far as to say they have some concern with the current situation. I do not feel the significance of protests is overblown, not in Kuwait, and for that matter in any country experiencing unrest from changes in the government. I had posted a comment last evening, addressing His Highness, and after thinking over the amendment made to the electoral law, specifically, 'one man, one vote.' I feel I misread or misinterpreted this part of the article when reading it the first time. You may have four candidates that can be considered for receiving votes, but the change to the electoral law means one citizen will vote for one candidate only. I do not see this amendment as being a threat to the Kuwaiti citizens right to vote, it merely streamlines the process for them by narrowing their selection to one person only. It is no different for us to elect a president, we have three candidates, but only one will win by popular and electoral vote. Many of us in the US feel we no longer should have electoral voting and this will be something the citizens in America will need to address in order to see this kind of change. Kuwait is a very strong city, and its leaders are faithful to community and country. I think at this point, the change just needs to sink in with the voters of Kuwait.
To the Shaikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah, greetings. I am in process of reading the article about the amendment of the 2006 electoral law, and the change that the new law limits the number of votes to one candidate and promotes the principle of “one man, one vote”.Many many Americans are opposed to the electoral votes held by each of our 50 states mandated by the senators within their state to cast an electoral vote whch should be based on the state's citizens, however, that is not the case. The larger states have larger populations and thus have higher electoral votes. If you only provide one candidate, then you take the peoples right away to choose because their is no opposition of canidates. If I am misreading what I read, I do apologize. I strongly believe, as do other Americans, that the voting process to elect [let's say] a president, for example, should be restricted to popular visits alone. Then it is the peoples votes that make the determination. Most all Americans believe in our laws and in our justice system, however, even the best can become corrupt at times. Like you, your highness, no matter what person's station in life is, if you break the law and you are found guilty, you pay the price of your freedom. As for laws that support our faith and belief system, we do also abide by them as best as able and humanly possible.
You are open to suggestions and comments about the situation you are facing in Kuwait with unrest and injuries to citizens because of the voting change you have made. Your cabinet may wish to rethink this change, and possibly include a small forum of citizens to brainstorm what would benefit all parties involved, especially the citizens of Kuwait.
Please know this paper featuring your article doesn't always print comments, or maybe it is because I am an American, but even still, I care about all citizens of the world in the hope that peace will always prevail in the end. Thank you for allowing me to comment.
