Kuwait exempts 3 categories from Debtors Imprisonment Law
KUWAIT CITY, May 25: The Enforcement General Department at the Ministry of Justice has specified three categories of individuals exempted from the provisions of the Debtors Imprisonment Law. These categories are student stipends, rent allowances paid by the government to some citizens, and social assistance disbursed by the Ministry of Social Affairs. The department emphasized that these benefits granted by the State to some individuals will not be seized if those receiving them are in debt.
Meanwhile, sources confirmed to the newspaper that the department continues to hold meetings to develop mechanisms for implementing arrest and summons against debtors, taking into account the humanitarian and social aspects of some categories of debtors. Sources said the department's meetings concluded that the law will be implemented in the best possible manner, 'without prejudice to the rights of creditors,' while taking into account the humanitarian and living conditions of some categories of debtors. They pointed out that the legal amendments aim to prevent defaults on debt and fines, given the large percentage of people who, despite their financial ability, delay paying their children's monthly expenses after separation from their mothers without justification. The new law aims to rectify these conditions and oblige debtors to fulfill their financial obligations, not evade them.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab Times
8 hours ago
- Arab Times
75% Surge In Kuwaiti-to-Kuwaiti Marriages After Nationality Law Amendment
KUWAIT CITY, June 2: The amendment of some provisions of the Amiri Decree on the Kuwaiti Nationality Law – which aims to strengthen national identity, maintain public order and abolish Article Eight stipulating that the marriage of a foreign woman to a Kuwaiti man does not entail her becoming a Kuwaiti – has led to a 75 percent increase in the number of Kuwaiti women marrying Kuwaiti men and a lower rate of foreign marriages. The newspaper obtained a copy of the recent statistics issued by the Department of Legal Documentation at the Ministry of Justice, indicating that the number of marriages between Kuwaiti men and Kuwaiti women reached 2,916 from the beginning of January until the end of April 2025. The statistics showed that 332 Kuwaiti men got married to non-Kuwaiti women, 133 Kuwaiti women got married to non-Kuwaitis, 44 Kuwaiti men got married to Bedouns and 10 Kuwaiti women got married to Bedouns. In addition, the number of divorces between Kuwaiti husbands and Kuwaiti wives reached 1,419; while the number of divorces between Kuwaiti husbands and non-Kuwaiti wives reached 332, and 141 Kuwaiti women were divorced from non-Kuwaiti men. Moreover, a statistical analysis of the achievements of the Sharia Documentation Department in April 2025 revealed that the number of documented marriages, by nationality, reached 1,149. The rate of marriages where both spouses are Kuwaiti nationals was 75 percent, while the percentage of marriages where both spouses are non-Kuwaiti nationals was 13.4 percent. The rate of marriages where the husband is Kuwaiti and the wife is non-Kuwaiti was 8.4 percent, while the percentage of marriages where the husband is non-Kuwaiti and the wife is Kuwaiti was 3.2 percent of the total marriages. The total number of documented authentication cases by nationality of husband and wife reached 117. The rate of documented authentication cases in which both spouses are Kuwaiti citizens was 4.3 percent, while the percentage of documented authentication cases in which both spouses are non-Kuwaiti citizens was 29.9 percent. The rate of documented authentication cases in which the husband is Kuwaiti and the wife is non-Kuwaiti was 60.7 percent, while the percentage of documented authentication cases in which the husband is non-Kuwaiti and the wife is Kuwaiti was 5.1 percent. The total number of documented divorces by nationality of the husband and wife was 754. The percentage of documented divorces in which both spouses are Kuwaiti citizens was 59.1 percent, while the percentage of divorces in which both spouses is non-Kuwaiti citizens was 18.4 percent. The rate of divorces in which the husband is Kuwaiti and the wife is non-Kuwaiti was 15.9 percent, while the percentage of divorces in which the husband is non-Kuwaiti and the wife is Kuwaiti was 6.5 percent.
Kuwait Times
4 days ago
- Kuwait Times
Kuwait reviews UAE, Saudi models as part of charity sector overhaul
ABU DHABI/RIYADH: A delegation from Kuwait's Committee for Regulating Humanitarian and Charitable Work, led by Acting Undersecretary of the Ministry of Social Affairs Dr Khaled Al-Ajmi, visited the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia this week to learn from their experience in charitable and humanitarian work. The visits are part of a series of several to GCC countries. Chaired by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, the committee is responsible for reviewing and developing laws related to charitable and humanitarian work, enhancing governance, and regulating licensing and donations to improve the efficiency and mechanisms of charitable efforts in line with international best practices. Sector overhaul The visits come after Kuwait halted all charitable fundraising pending the rollout of stricter procedures to curb unauthorized donation campaigns. Licensed charities face penalties — from account suspension to full operational shutdown — if they violate the suspension. These measures build on early-2025 reforms, namely the introduction of a centralized aid-coordination platform, and on the dissolution of over 30 charities since November 2024. They also support Kuwait's push to strengthen financial controls and align with FATF anti-money-laundering standards, safeguarding donor funds and preserving Kuwait's global humanitarian standing. Adapting successful practices In Riyadh, the Kuwaiti delegation examined Saudi Arabia's systems for humanitarian work, including integrated governance and oversight frameworks, transparency protocols and international trust-building measures. The delegation also held high-level meetings with Saudi officials to explore opportunities for cooperation, particularly in humanitarian and charitable fields and non-profit sector development. In Abu Dhabi, Dr Al-Ajmi emphasized Kuwait's intent to benefit from successful experiences and adapt inspiring practices to suit Kuwait's local context, with the goal of enhancing its humanitarian work system and improving governance efficiency. Documenting transfers As part of the committee's commitment to developing Kuwait's charitable work system, the delegation visited several public and private institutions in the UAE, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to understand financial governance mechanisms for charitable transfers. They also toured the Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation for Humanitarian Impact and the Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation for Humanitarian Activities. 'What the committee delegation witnessed during the visit reflects the UAE's commitment to a modern, holistic approach to charitable and humanitarian work,' where digital solutions are integrated with humanitarian values, and institutions are managed under precise governance systems that ensure the sustainability and integrity of resources and a measurable impact on beneficiaries locally and globally, said Dr Al-Ajmi. The delegation also reviewed several operational practices from UAE institutions, including digital systems for tracking and documenting financial transfers, distributing aid, and measuring the impact of initiatives. — Agencies
Arab Times
6 days ago
- Arab Times
Decision to end donation collection sparks debate
KUWAIT CITY, May 27: The recent decision of the Ministry of Social Affairs to suspend donation collections by charitable societies and foundations until further notice is a regulatory step that has sparked widespread debate among those active in the charitable sector. This move is part of a general trend to reassess the mechanisms for charitable work -- a field in which Kuwait has long played a prominent role, both domestically and internationally. While some view the decision as a necessary measure to introduce stronger oversight, others argue that it risks disrupting a vital pillar of the soft power and humanitarian outreach of the country. Critics of the suspension emphasized the longstanding reputation of the country as a global leader in charitable and humanitarian efforts. They stressed that oversight must be part of a continuous development process -- ensuring transparency and accountability -- without hindering the sector's ability to support beneficiaries or undermining public trust in philanthropy. Former MP Dr. Mohammad Al-Dallal told the newspaper that charitable work is central to the soft power of Kuwait, reinforcing the country's humanitarian image at both official and grassroots levels. He highlighted the historic role of Kuwaiti charities in bolstering the nation's international standing and noted their pivotal contributions during national crises, especially during the Iraqi invasion. Al-Dallal called for balanced reforms, stressing the need for responsible governance without imposing undue restrictions. He urged the ministry to issue a clear regulatory framework that empowers charities while ensuring proper oversight. In contrast, writer Ahmed Al-Sarraf expressed support for the decision, arguing that the charitable sector has operated for decades with insufficient oversight. He warned that some associations have been misused to fund illicit activities, serving partisan or personal interests. Speaking to the newspaper, Al-Sarraf revealed that a temporary committee has been formed to draft a comprehensive law regulating charitable activities. 'The committee recently discussed a key provision concerning the disproportionate allocation of funds to foreign efforts over domestic needs,' he added. He recommended banning all external charitable activity unless conducted under direct government supervision through a unified platform. He also called for strict rules prohibiting political involvement by charitable organizations, demanding transparency in financial reporting and restrictions on receiving funds from government or foreign sources. He proposed that annual budgets be publicly disclosed in at least two daily newspapers. Meanwhile, preacher Faisal bin Qazzaz Al-Jassem voiced concern over the suspension through the 'X' platform; warning that even a temporary freeze could severely impact Muslims and philanthropists reliant on these organizations. He affirmed that the charitable and relief associations in Kuwait are unparalleled in the Islamic world, often filling gaps where other nations fall short. He asserted that 'tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands of people are affected by the decision -- orphans, families, preachers, imams, orators, teachers, educators, doctors, nurses and directors of centers, institutes and universities -- have no source of support other than Allah and the charities. Therefore, freezing the accounts means halting all of these activities and rendering all of them unable to continue their work; especially for the orphans, widows, families, patients and health centers.'
