Amend ‘freedom Laws’: Mp

MP Omar Al-Tabtabaei has called on his fellow colleagues to pick up the pace in preparing the proposed amendments to what he described as “freedom laws” – Journalism, Radio and Television, Publication and Distribution, and Electronic Crimes.

He said these bills should be on top of the priority list for the next legislative round. He pointed out that two years have passed since the idea of amending the abovementioned laws was presented, considering these laws restrict citizens from supporting the position of Kuwait in international arenas and in the Parliament. He added these laws also prohibit citizens from defending their own country in writing.

He argued the Kuwaiti public opinion is currently taken from certain groups, but it does not reflect the reality because the real public opinion is silent due to the restricting laws and policies passed by the previous parliaments. “Since the State of Kuwait is known for freedom of speech, it is now time to remove the shackles on real opinions as such is the heart of internal affairs and shield of foreign policies,” he clarified.

He urged his colleagues to push for these amendments and show the Kuwaiti public who is in favor and who is against freedom of speech, especially at a time young Kuwaitis are being prosecuted for voicing their opinions. He wondered if these amendments were delayed for two years due to loopholes in the internal regulations of the Parliament, or if the government caused the delay; thereby, “burying unwanted bills in committees.”

In another development, the Legal and Legislative Affairs Committee has started discussing the constitutionality of the interpellation motion submitted by MP Abdulkareem Al-Kandari against HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak as per the request of the Parliament. The committee looked into the legality of the grilling points and invited Minister of Justice Fahad Al-Ofasi and MP Abdulkareem Al- Kandari to its meeting next Sunday, but Al-Kandari declined the invitation.

Comments Post Comment

Leave a Comment

Submit