Are You On The List? Kuwait Issues Over 69,000 Travel Bans In Just One Year
Travel Bans and Detentions on the Rise
Among the most notable increases were procedures related to travel bans and detention orders, which soared to 182,255 cases in 2024, up by 18.5% from 153,784 in 2023. Of these, 69,654 were travel bans, representing 38.2% of all enforcement actions, while 51,420 travel bans were lifted, making up 28.2%.
The spike comes amid growing efforts by Kuwaiti authorities to tighten enforcement and ensure compliance with court judgments, especially in cases involving debt and financial disputes.
Enforcement of Final Court Judgments Nearly Doubles
The number of files fully executed jumped by more than 70%, rising from 43,427 in 2023 to 73,935 in 2024 — a clear sign that Kuwait's judiciary is accelerating its efforts to deliver justice efficiently and ensure that legal rights are upheld.
Monitoring of Criminal Judgments Sees 105% Surge
In a further indication of increased judicial oversight, the monitoring of criminal judgments and court rulings more than doubled, climbing from 1.29 million procedures in 2023 to over 2.65 million in 2024 — a 105.1% increase.
Officials attributed this jump to a rise in the number of rulings across multiple court sections, reflecting a broader crackdown on criminal activities and legal violations.
Interpol and Complaints Department Activity Also Rises
The report also highlights a 4.1% increase in criminal information monitoring procedures, growing from 549,323 to 571,752. The uptick was largely fueled by a 19.5% increase in operations within the Interpol Division and a 19.3% rise in the Complaints Department.
However, not all departments saw gains — the Criminal Information Department recorded a slight 0.5% decrease in procedures compared to last year.
The surge in judicial activity signals Kuwait's intensifying efforts to uphold the rule of law, protect public funds, and enforce court decisions through enhanced technological systems and inter-agency coordination.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab Times
3 hours ago
- Arab Times
Kuwait government launches full review of public projects and contracts
KUWAIT CITY, July 29: In a move to enhance transparency, efficiency, and oversight, the Kuwaiti government has initiated a comprehensive inventory of all ongoing and planned projects and contracts across ministries and public institutions. The initiative aims to closely monitor implementation mechanisms and evaluate the progress of infrastructure and service-related developments. According to informed sources, all government ministries and relevant entities have been instructed to promptly prepare detailed lists of active construction projects — ranging from administrative buildings to public service facilities — as well as their associated contracts. Ministries are also required to submit the latest monthly progress reports for these projects. The directive, described as a key regulatory and oversight measure, includes the preparation of a full register of existing maintenance contracts across all ministries and institutions. Sources noted that this initiative is designed to establish a centralized, accurate database that will support informed decision-making, help assess execution quality, and detect any implementation shortcomings or project delays. In addition to active projects, the government has also asked for comprehensive documentation of upcoming construction projects that ministries and government bodies intend to carry out. These should include proposed timelines and implementation frameworks. Officials stated that the broader goal is to promote inter-agency coordination in order to eliminate duplication, prevent overlapping responsibilities, and ensure effective planning and resource allocation. The review marks a significant step toward bolstering accountability and strategic planning across Kuwait's public sector infrastructure and service initiatives.
Arab Times
4 hours ago
- Arab Times
CMA outlines rules for investment dealings with 'former Kuwaiti citizens'
KUWAIT CITY, July 29: The Capital Markets Authority (CMA) has issued Circular No. 20 of 2025, outlining key regulations for dealing with individuals whose Kuwaiti citizenship has been revoked under the "Noble work" clause of Article 5 of Amiri Decree No. 15 of 1959, which governs the Kuwaiti Nationality Law. The circular, addressed to all licensed entities and authorized persons, follows the Ministry of Interior's statement issued on July 10, which detailed the legal status, residency rules, and restricted rights applicable to those affected by this category of citizenship revocation. According to the CMA, the objective of the circular is to ensure full compliance with the legal and regulatory frameworks that govern the treatment of such individuals, particularly within the investment and financial sectors. The Authority emphasized the importance of adjusting internal policies accordingly to avoid violations. Key regulatory measures The circular highlighted main controls that authorized entities must follow: Revoked Individuals Not Considered Kuwaitis: Anyone whose citizenship has been withdrawn under the 'Noble work' clause will no longer be considered a Kuwaiti citizen to implement CMA laws and regulations. Such individuals will also lose eligibility for rights and benefits granted to Kuwaiti citizens once the grace period granted by the Ministry of Interior expires. Verification of Legal Status: All authorized persons must verify the legal status and valid residency of clients affected by the Amiri Decree. This includes examining official documents confirming their status post-citizenship revocation. For decrees issued before July 20, 2025, the four-month grace period begins from that date. For future cases, the grace period will begin from the date of issuance of each new revocation decree. Review and Update of Client Records:: In the case of existing investment transactions or business relationships with affected individuals, their legal status must be reviewed and updated to ensure alignment with current legal and regulatory frameworks during the status adjustment period. Additionally, the CMA advised that if any licensed person seeks official clarification on a client's status, they should contact the Article Eight Affairs Office at the Ministry of Interior, which is the competent authority responsible for determining applicable benefits and procedures in these cases. The Authority stressed the necessity for full adherence to applicable legislation and related decrees concerning citizenship revocation. It urged licensed firms and individuals to revise their internal compliance policies to avoid unauthorized dealings or regulatory breaches. This move reflects Kuwait's broader efforts to ensure legal clarity and institutional alignment in handling sensitive nationality-related cases within the country's financial and investment sectors.
Kuwait Times
11 hours ago
- Kuwait Times
Kuwait to launch 3-day donation campaign, air bridge to Gaza
Kuwait to launch 3-day donation campaign, air bridge to Gaza New government entity to oversee all charity activities; Humanitarian law to be ready in 2-3 weeks KUWAIT: Kuwait is launching a three-day donation campaign starting Tuesday, followed by the organization of an air bridge to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, according to Assistant Foreign Minister for Development and International Cooperation Hamad Suleiman Al-Mashaan. Speaking to the press on the sidelines of Peru's National Day celebration on Sunday, Al-Mashaan said charitable associations across the country will collect funds for the Gaza aid campaign, which will be entirely allocated to the purchase of relief materials through Kuwait Flour Mills Company. "All donations will go toward essential supplies, procured from a trusted local producer with the capacity to meet immediate needs," he said. Once the donations are collected, the Ministry of Defense — specifically the Kuwait Air Force — will coordinate the transportation of aid using a Kuwaiti military aircraft. Shipments will be sent via two routes: to Al-Arish in Egypt, where they will be handed over to the Egyptian Red Crescent in coordination with the Kuwait Red Crescent Society, and to Jordan for further delivery to Gaza. Unified charity system Al-Mashaan also noted that Kuwait is in the final stages of approving a comprehensive law to regulate charitable work and strengthen oversight over the sector. A key feature of the law is the creation of a governmental 'center', dedicated to humanitarian work, serving as a unified authority overseeing all aspects of charitable activities. The new law, which has been developed over seven high-level committee meetings chaired by the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah, is currently under legal review. It includes frameworks to regulate the operation of charitable societies and foundations, set standards for donation collection, and bring all charitable entities under the umbrella of the new center. The center will oversee the registration of charity associations, organize relief campaigns, monitor international donations, and issue all necessary approvals — streamlining processes and reducing the need for associations to navigate multiple government entities. Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef has tasked Minister of Justice Nasser Al-Sumait with coordinating with the Fatwa and Legislation Department before the law is submitted to the Legal Committee for final approval. 'We expect the law to be finalized within two to three weeks,' Al-Mashaan said. 'However, implementing the executive regulations and launching the center will take more time and effort, especially with the transfer of staff from the Ministry of Social Affairs.' He emphasized that in Kuwait's charitable work, domestic needs will take precedence, followed by support for international causes. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is playing a leading role in this process, particularly in monitoring international donations and ensuring accountability for overseas projects.
