No More Leniency: Infanticide Now Fully Punishable in Kuwait
KUWAIT CITY, May 17: The Council of Ministers has approved a draft law to repeal Article 159 of the Penal Code, which previously stated that 'any woman who intentionally kills her newborn immediately after birth, to avoid shame, shall be punished by imprisonment for a period not exceeding five years and a fine not exceeding three hundred and seventy-five dinars, or by one of these two penalties.'
According to informed sources, the repeal affirms the state's commitment to upholding the right to life — considered the highest right enshrined in the Constitution and a core tenet of Islamic law. The sources emphasized that the mitigation of penalties for taking a life cannot be justified under any circumstances.
They explained that the now-repealed provision represented a deviation from constitutional principles, reduced legal protections for children from the moment of birth, and conflicted with Kuwait's international obligations, particularly the Convention on the Rights of the Child. This treaty underscores the necessity of providing children with the highest levels of protection against violence and neglect.
The sources further noted that the continued enforcement of Article 159 lacked legal justification, undermined the principle of equality before the law, and weakened the deterrent power of the criminal justice system in addressing murder cases. The repeal, they said, reflects the state's intention to modernize its legislation in accordance with international standards and on the basis of justice and equality.
Following the repeal of Article 159, a mother who deliberately kills her newborn to avoid social shame will now be prosecuted under the general provisions of the law as a case of murder.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Kuwait Times
a day ago
- Kuwait Times
Iranian Embassy holds event to commemorate Imam Khomeini
KUWAIT: Iranian Ambassador to Kuwait Mohammad Toutonji speaks at an event held to mark the 36th anniversary of the passing of the founder of the Islamic Republic, Imam Khomeini. KUWAIT: The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Kuwait held a ceremony to mark the 36th anniversary of the passing of the founder of the Islamic Republic, Imam Khomeini. The event was attended by a distinguished group of scholars, intellectuals, social and political figures, several former members of the National Assembly, members of the Kuwaiti-Iranian Friendship Association, and a large crowd from the Iranian community. 'On this great day, we gather to commemorate a man whose influence extended far beyond the borders of the Islamic Republic of Iran,' Iranian Ambassador Mohammad Toutonji said. Imam Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic, was an inspiration to all the free people of the world. He was a figure who united religion and worldly affairs, basing every social movement on faith and justice. The late Imam was not merely a political leader; he was a prominent jurist, a profound philosopher, and a spiritual thinker reflecting deeply on the essence of humanity and existence.' Ambassador Toutonji continued: 'In a world where the voices of the oppressed are still silenced, and people are crushed under the weight of power, greed, and war, the message of Imam Khomeini - a message of justice, dignity, faith, and freedom - is more urgent than ever. Let us all, with our different religions, languages, and homelands, stand united to build a humane society worthy of our dignity.' Several speakers also gave remarks, highlighting that the Palestinian cause was always on Imam Khomeini's agenda. They emphasized his lifelong commitment to Islamic unity, his resistance to division and discord, and his opposition to any attempts to sow strife - efforts that are detrimental to the interests of the Islamic nation. They stressed that the Imam consistently called for unity and the extinguishing of sedition.
Arab Times
2 days ago
- Arab Times
Kuwait targets exam cheating with prison terms, hefty fines
KUWAIT CITY, June 5: Minister of Education Sayed Jalal Al-Tabtabaei praised the Cabinet's approval on Wednesday of a draft bill amending the Penal Code and criminalizing cheating and exam leaks. He called the legal amendments 'a turning point' for educational justice. He expressed gratitude to His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al- Sabah and other Cabinet members for their roles in this development, which reflects the political leadership's commitment to safeguarding the futures of students. The draft law explicitly outlaws the printing, selling, or leaking of exam questions and answers for intermediate and secondary schools, mainly when intended to facilitate cheating or undermine the examination process. Al-Tabtabaei emphasized that such actions threaten Kuwait's educational reputation and that legal action would be taken against offenders. The Cabinet's approved amendments add two articles to the Penal Code: Article 259 bis, which punishes leaking exam materials with imprisonment of up to five years and fines ranging from 1,000 to 5,000 dinars, and Article 259 bis (a), which penalizes altering exam answers or grades with up to seven years in prison and fines between 5,000 and 10,000 dinars. This initiative aims to protect the integrity of education and ensure fair assessments for all students. Meanwhile, the Kuwaiti Council of Ministers, chaired by His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, convened its weekly session on Wednesday at Bayan Palace, reviewing significant local, regional, and international developments while approving major legal and institutional reforms. At the outset, the Cabinet extended Eid Al-Adha greetings to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, and the people and residents of Kuwait. It also congratulated the Crown Prince on the first anniversary of assuming office, praising his national achievements and leadership. As part of its legislative agenda, the Cabinet approved two draft decree-laws. The first introduces Articles 259 bis and 259 bis (A) to Penal Code No. 16 of 1960, criminalizing acts related to cheating and manipulation in intermediate and secondary school exams. Violations are punishable by imprisonment of up to seven years and fines ranging from KD 1,000 to KD 10,000. The second draft law amends Judicial Fees Law No. 17 of 1973, aiming to discourage frivolous lawsuits and promote alternative dispute resolution methods such as arbitration and conciliation. These measures seek to preserve the integrity of the educational system and improve the effectiveness of the judiciary. The Cabinet commended the recent speech delivered by His Highness the Crown Prince at the Second GCC–ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, where he represented His Highness the Amir in his capacity as President of the Gulf Cooperation Council. In his address, His Highness emphasized the importance of strengthening multilateral cooperation and building strategic partnerships rooted in mutual respect, sustainable development, and integration. Highlighting the combined economic strength of the GCC and ASEAN — with a total GDP nearing USD 6 trillion — His Highness called for enhanced cooperation in fields such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and food security, especially through sustainable agricultural investment. The Cabinet also praised the Crown Prince's participation in the GCC–ASEAN–China Tripartite Summit, where he welcomed the launch of the 2023–2027 strategic dialogue action plan. The plan outlines collaboration across sectors including renewable energy, education, health, technology, and scientific research. The Cabinet reviewed the results of the Crown Prince's official visit to Japan from May 28 to 31. During the visit, His Highness met with Emperor Naruhito, Crown Prince Fumihito, and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to discuss elevating bilateral ties to a strategic partnership. Minister of Information, Culture, and State Minister for Youth Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi presented a detailed report on the Crown Prince's visit to Kuwait's pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka. Accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya, His Highness toured the pavilion, which showcases Kuwait's achievements in economy, energy, environment, education, and cultural heritage. He expressed appreciation for the organizers' efforts in presenting Kuwait's identity to the global audience. The Cabinet also discussed the outcomes of the recent official visit by Syrian President Ahmad Al-Shara. The talks, chaired by His Highness the Amir on the Kuwaiti side and President Al-Shara on the Syrian side, focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation across various sectors and addressing the latest developments in Syria. Both parties emphasized the need for intensified international efforts to ensure Syria's sovereignty, security, and stability. Additionally, the Cabinet reviewed high-level visits from the leaders of Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Talks with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani and UAE Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan highlighted the strength of fraternal relations. These meetings led to the signing of several memoranda of understanding in sectors such as energy, advanced technology, education, law, health, investment, and cybersecurity. The Council received a presentation from Minister of Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy Dr. Subaih Abdulaziz Al-Mukhaizeem, who outlined progress on several strategic infrastructure projects. These include the Shagaya and Abdaliyah Renewable Energy Projects, Az-Zour North Phases II and III, Khairan and Nuwaiseeb Phase I, and the Subiya Plant expansion phases. Combined, these projects will add 14,050 megawatts of electricity and 228 million gallons of daily water production. The Cabinet commended the ministry's efforts and stressed the importance of addressing implementation challenges to meet the nation's growing energy demands. The session concluded with the Cabinet approving several items on the agenda and referring others to specialized ministerial committees for further review and action. Through these comprehensive discussions and decisions, the Cabinet reaffirmed its commitment to national development, regional cooperation, and institutional integrity.
Arab Times
3 days ago
- Arab Times
‘Eid prayer does not exempt people from Friday prayers'
KUWAIT CITY, June 4: The Assistant Undersecretary for the Fatwa and Sharia Research Sector at the Ministry of Islamic Affairs has clarified the religious opinion regarding the Friday (Jumu'ah) prayer when Eid coincides with a Friday, reports Al-Seyassah daily. In an official statement, he explained that, according to the majority of Islamic jurists, performing the Eid prayer does not exempt Muslims from the obligation of attending the Friday prayer. The Friday prayer must still be performed at its designated time. Some jurists hold the view that those who have already performed the Eid prayer may forgo the Friday prayer and instead perform the regular Dhuhr prayer, based on reports that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) did the same. If a person serves as an imam, he must lead the Friday prayer for those who attend the mosque. The Fatwa and Sharia Research Sector confirmed in a statement that the matter allows for flexibility, and both options are considered valid. Those who prefer ease may suffice with the Eid prayer and perform Dhuhr instead of Jumu'ah, while those who choose to observe both the Eid and Friday prayers out of caution are also acting correctly. Meanwhile, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs and Head of the Kuwaiti Hajj Mission Dr. Bader Al-Mutairi announced that all 8,000 Kuwaiti pilgrims, organized into 60 groups, have safely arrived in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, reports Al-Seyassah daily. In a statement to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), Dr. Al-Mutairi confirmed that mission teams from various participating agencies are working tirelessly at the holy sites to ensure the highest levels of comfort, safety, and care for Kuwaiti pilgrims. He stated that preparations at Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah were completed well in advance, which reflects the mission's dedication to providing an organized and secure environment. Dr. Al-Mutairi urged all Kuwaiti pilgrims to strictly follow the instructions issued by the official Saudi authorities.
