Kuwaiti protests (2011–2012)

<h2 id="history-and-timeline">History and timeline</h2>
<h3>Stateless protests (early 2011)</h3>
<a href="/facts/Sabah_Al-Sabah/D62IAYc0">Sabah Al-Sabah</a>, the <a href="/facts/Emir_of_Kuwait/S8fcD939">Emir of Kuwait</a>, gave every Kuwaiti citizen 1,000 <a href="/facts/Kuwaiti_dinar/IQJcmg3d">dinars</a> (3580 $) and a free food grant for one year on 18 January 2011,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:1" href="#fn:1">1</a> officially to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Kuwait's liberation from occupying <a href="/facts/History_of_Iraq_(1968%25E2%2580%25932003)/lbHnSQBz">Iraqi</a> forces during the <a href="/facts/Gulf_War/6LdLnGdo">First Gulf War</a>, as well as the 50th anniversary of the state's independence.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:2" href="#fn:2">2</a> But the grant was not extended to the stateless <a href="/facts/Bedoun/IPr5vXE4">Bedoon</a> living in Kuwait. Dozens demonstrated in <a href="/facts/Kuwait_City/14MnXtKg">Kuwait City</a> on 19 February against their supposed second-class status.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:3" href="#fn:3">3</a> Opposition leaders called for further protests in March to pressure Prime Minister <a href="/facts/Nasser_Al-Sabah/gKnKHefW">Nasser Al-Sabah</a> to resign.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4">4</a>
Stateless people continued to protest into January 2012 despite a protest ban, turning out on 13 and 14 January in slums near <a href="/facts/Kuwait_City/14MnXtKg">Kuwait City</a> to call for the right to citizenship. On both days, violence broke out, with riot police clashing with stateless demonstrators and arresting several dozen on 13 January and firing tear gas to disperse rally-goers on 14 January.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5">5</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:6" href="#fn:6">6</a>
Riot police on 2 October used tear gas and smoke bombs to disperse hundreds of stateless demonstrators who were demanding citizenship. Witnesses and activists said at least three people, including a policeman, were slightly wounded and 10 stateless were arrested as security forces laid a siege on the Taima suburb in <a href="/facts/Al_Jahra/ud6Gdxje">Al Jahra</a> which houses tens of thousands of stateless. The new protest comes a week after three international human rights groups sent an unprecedented letter to Emir Al-Sabah urging him to end alleged abuse against stateless people.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:7" href="#fn:7">7</a>

<h3>Political protests (mid 2011–2012)</h3>
On the night of 16 November, demonstrators and several opposition <a href="/facts/Member_of_Parliament/qjfwk6mp">MPs</a> stormed the <a href="/facts/National_Assembly_of_Kuwait/jUCYhstc">National Assembly</a>, briefly occupying it while singing and shouting slogans calling for Prime Minister <a href="/facts/Nasser_Al-Sabah/gKnKHefW">Nasser Al-Sabah</a> to step down. They left after several minutes to rally in the adjacent <a href="/facts/Al-Erada_Square/rn0PnYg1">Al-Erada Square</a>, although riot police attacked several protesters with nightsticks when a smaller group split off and tried to charge the prime minister's residence.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:8" href="#fn:8">8</a>
Shortly after the Constitutional Court declared in June 2012 that the February 2012 <a href="/facts/National_Assembly_of_Kuwait/jUCYhstc">National Assembly</a> <a href="/facts/February_2012_Kuwaiti_parliamentary_election/b1PF3TNd">election</a> were "illegal" and reinstated the previous pro-government parliament, thousands of Kuwaitis rally in <a href="/facts/Al-Erada_Square/rn0PnYg1">Al-Erada Square</a> on 26 June to protests against a court ruling that dissolved the opposition-dominated parliament. Demonstrators chanted "we will not surrender", while a prominent opposition MP called for a <a href="/facts/Constitutional_monarchy/C0TtVRq8">constitutional monarchy</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:9" href="#fn:9">9</a> On 27 August, around 3,000 people, mainly men in traditional Kuwaiti dress, gathered opposite parliament at Al-Erada Square to protest changes to the electoral law which they said could harm the prospects of opposition lawmakers in upcoming elections.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:10" href="#fn:10">10</a>
Around 1,500 Kuwaitis took part in a rally late on 10 September to protest against possible changes in the electoral law and call for more democracy. The crowd, which included opposition lawmakers and political activists, gathered outside parliament in a square which has hosted several anti-government demonstrations since late last year. However, the turnout was smaller than previous rallies in the major oil producer and there was only a light police presence.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:11" href="#fn:11">11</a>
Thousands of Kuwait opposition supporters rallied on 24 September, a day ahead where the Constitutional Court is scheduled to rule on next day if the electoral constituency law is in line with the constitution based on a request submitted by the government last month. Around 10,000 people, who filled the seaside square opposite the parliament building, cheered loudly as opposition figures called for an elected government and warned against what they called a politicised ruling. The next day, the Constitutional Court ruled that the Gulf emirate's electoral constituency law was in line with the constitution, rejecting a government appeal. Dozens of opposition activists who were in the court room hailed the verdict and exchanged congratulations.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:12" href="#fn:12">12</a>
On 15 October, Kuwaiti security forces detained at least five people, including the son of a prominent opposition figure, at an anti-government protest against possible changes to an election law. Several people were hurt in skirmishes at the rally, attended by at least 3,000 people who defied a request by authorities to cancel the Monday night demonstration. In some of the strongest remarks by an opposition figure, former lawmaker <a href="/facts/Musallam_Al-Barrak/VqzPA2Rv">Musallam Al-Barrak</a> appealed directly to Kuwaiti Emir to avoid "autocratic rule". His speech to the crowd contained extremely rare criticism of the ruler, "In the name of the nation, in the name of the people, we will not let you, your Highness, practice autocratic rule," Barrak told the rally in a speech addressed to the emir, drew repeated chants of "we will not let you, we will not let you" from the crowd. Analysts said his remarks, including the criticism of the emir could spark a strong reaction from the authorities. The son of <a href="/facts/Ahmed_Al-Sadoun/LRn40uK8">Ahmed Al-Sadoun</a>, another prominent opposition leader and former parliament speaker, was among those detained during the protest near parliament where several anti-government demonstrations have taken place in the past year.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:13" href="#fn:13">13</a>
After the <a href="/facts/December_2012_Kuwaiti_parliamentary_election/NtSUUyus">1 December elections</a> which were won by pro-government candidates due to boycotts by the opposition, hundreds of opposition supporters demonstrated in various areas of Kuwait late on 6 December to demand scrapping the newly elected national assembly. Night demonstrations were staged in at least four areas of the state and that riot police used teargas and stun grenades to disperse the protesters.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:14" href="#fn:14">14</a> Activists clashed with police on the next day as they took to the streets in at least eight areas of the Gulf state.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:15" href="#fn:15">15</a> Thousands then demonstrated on 8 December to demand dissolving the new elected parliament.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:16" href="#fn:16">16</a>

<h4>Nasser Abul</h4>
Nasser Abul is a <a href="/facts/Kuwait/HJLFQ59s">Kuwaiti</a> online activist.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:17" href="#fn:17">17</a> On 7 July 2011, he was imprisoned by the <a href="/facts/Government_of_Kuwait/1IvJTNBs">government of Kuwait</a> on state security charges, following a series of <a href="/facts/Twitter/VWwDNGUm">tweets</a> in support of <a href="/facts/2011%25E2%2580%25932012_Bahraini_uprising/0rS1jck3">Arab Spring protesters</a> in <a href="/facts/Bahrain/ndXdWPhr">Bahrain</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:18" href="#fn:18">18</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:19" href="#fn:19">19</a> Sheikh Abdullah Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Fateh Al Khalifa of Bahrain's ruling <a href="/facts/Al_Khalifa_family/tGFpfoSA">Al Khalifa family</a> thanked the Kuwaiti government for Abul's arrest and also announced his intention to file a private libel suit against Abul.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:20" href="#fn:20">20</a>
Following his arrest, Abul stated that the most inflammatory tweets on his account had been posted by hackers, and that when he became aware of the tweets, he had deleted them with his <a href="/facts/IPhone/h5WeKRl9">iPhone</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:21" href="#fn:21">21</a> Abul has alleged that he was beaten and subjected to <a href="/facts/Sleep_deprivation/uAUkKVEM">sleep deprivation</a> in the first two days of his detention; according to his lawyer, Abul was also denied counsel for several hearings.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:22" href="#fn:22">22</a> One week after his arrest, <a href="/facts/Amnesty_International/ouGBgSdS">Amnesty International</a> named him a <a href="/facts/Prisoner_of_conscience/PoTY4kcD">prisoner of conscience</a> and called for his immediate release.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:23" href="#fn:23">23</a> <a href="/facts/Human_Rights_Watch/X265jj8r">Human Rights Watch</a> also demanded that the charges against him be dropped, with a representative stating that "Kuwait has sunk to a new low by arresting people just for posting criticism of governments on the internet."<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:24" href="#fn:24">24</a> On 19 September, Kuwaiti <a href="/facts/National_Assembly_of_Kuwait/jUCYhstc">MP</a> Faisal Al-Duwaisan, Chairman of the Human Rights Committee, requested Abul's release, calling it "a shame to taint Kuwait’s human rights history".<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:25" href="#fn:25">25</a>
On 27 September 2011, Abul was released from Kuwait Central Prison.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:26" href="#fn:26">26</a>

<h2 id="response">Response</h2>
<h3>Domestic</h3>
On 18 October 2012, former MP Bader al-Dahum was taken into police custody. Khaled al-Tahus, also a former MP, was summoned for questioning by the prosecution service. Later, a group of around 500 people gathered outside the Justice Palace late Thursday night to protest against the detention of the former lawmakers. On the same day, Kuwait's <a href="/facts/Al-Sabah/vlVTPF20">Al-Sabah</a> royal family issued a rare statement calling for "obedience" to the government.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:27" href="#fn:27">27</a> The three former lawmakers were all later released on bail on 23 October.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:28" href="#fn:28">28</a> Local media reported on 24 October that authorities have banned gatherings of more than 20 people.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:29" href="#fn:29">29</a>
Opposition lawmaker <a href="/facts/Musallam_Al-Barrak/VqzPA2Rv">Musallam Al-Barrak</a> was arrested by Kuwaiti authorities on the night of 29 October following a news conference at his house where he called on the government to abide by the constitution. Activists says that his arrest could impact for the further protests, which demonstrators have vowed to stage another protest on 4 November.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:30" href="#fn:30">30</a> He was freed after an appeal although he remains under investigation.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:31" href="#fn:31">31</a> Another opposition figure, former Islamist MP Faisal Al-Muslim, has been summoned for questioning on 31 October.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:32" href="#fn:32">32</a> On 3 November, the Kuwaiti newspaper <a href="/facts/Al_Anbaa_(Kuwait)/HqKLM54p">Al-Anbaa</a> quoted a security source saying that authorities may call in the army to help security forces stop a march called by the opposition for the next day, shortly after the government vowed to use force if necessary.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:33" href="#fn:33">33</a>
There were allegations that Jordanian forces had been deployed to assist in quelling protests in Kuwait. However, the Jordanian government denies this, saying the reports were "fabricated" and "not worthy of comment."<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:34" href="#fn:34">34</a>

<h2 id="references">References</h2>

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<li id="fn:27">Westall, Sylvia (18 October 2012). "Kuwait's ruling family calls for obedience to the emir". Reuters. Archived from the original on 16 May 2021. Retrieved 6 July 2021. <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-kuwait-politics-arrests-idUSBRE89H1CK20121018" target="_blank">https://www.reuters.com/article/us-kuwait-politics-arrests-idUSBRE89H1CK20121018</a> <a href="#fnref:27" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:28">"Kuwait frees on bail opposition ex-MPs, activists". Daily News Egypt. 23 October 2012. Archived from the original on 10 June 2015. Retrieved 30 October 2012. <a href="http://dailynewsegypt.com/2012/10/23/kuwait-frees-on-bail-opposition-ex-mps-activists/" target="_blank">http://dailynewsegypt.com/2012/10/23/kuwait-frees-on-bail-opposition-ex-mps-activists/</a> <a href="#fnref:28" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:29">Aboudi, Sami (23 October 2012). "Kuwait bans gatherings of more than 20 people amid protests". Reuters. Archived from the original on 9 April 2022. Retrieved 6 July 2021. <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-kuwait-politics-protests-idUSBRE89M0CC20121023" target="_blank">https://www.reuters.com/article/us-kuwait-politics-protests-idUSBRE89M0CC20121023</a> <a href="#fnref:29" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:30">"Kuwait arrests opposition leader over emir comments". Reuters. 30 October 2012. Archived from the original on 15 May 2021. Retrieved 6 July 2021. <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/kuwait-politics-lawmaker-idUSL5E8LU0QT20121030" target="_blank">https://www.reuters.com/article/kuwait-politics-lawmaker-idUSL5E8LU0QT20121030</a> <a href="#fnref:30" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:31">"Kuwait: Ex-MP Mussallam al-Barrak freed on bail". BBC News. 1 November 2012. Archived from the original on 1 February 2016. Retrieved 20 June 2018. <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-20165318" target="_blank">https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-20165318</a> <a href="#fnref:31" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:32">"Kuwait summons critic of emir in widening crackdown". Agence France-Presse. 31 October 2012. Archived from the original on 15 May 2021. Retrieved 6 July 2021. <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/kuwait-politics-lawmaker-idUSL5E8LU0QT20121030" target="_blank">https://www.reuters.com/article/kuwait-politics-lawmaker-idUSL5E8LU0QT20121030</a> <a href="#fnref:32" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:33">"Kuwait may use troops to stop opposition demo: report". The Daily Star. Agence France-Presse. 3 November 2012. Archived from the original on 3 November 2012. Retrieved 3 November 2012. <a href="http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2012/Nov-03/193763-kuwait-may-use-troops-to-stop-opposition-demo-report.ashx#axzz2BAe0P5Hr" target="_blank">http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2012/Nov-03/193763-kuwait-may-use-troops-to-stop-opposition-demo-report.ashx#axzz2BAe0P5Hr</a> <a href="#fnref:33" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:34">"No Jordanian troops in Kuwait: Official". Ahram Online. 4 November 2012. Archived from the original on 7 November 2012. Retrieved 5 November 2012. <a href="http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/57133/World/Region/No-Jordanian-troops-in-Kuwait-Official.aspx" target="_blank">http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/57133/World/Region/No-Jordanian-troops-in-Kuwait-Official.aspx</a> <a href="#fnref:34" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
</ol>

Kuwaiti protests (2011–2012) open-in-new

Kuwaiti protests (2011–2012)