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Human rights groups slam Kuwait for traffic offence deportations
| Published: | 21 May at 6 PM |
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According to a recently released report, hundreds of expats found guilty of traffic offences have been deported from Kuwait over the past month.
Human rights groups are condemning the recent spate of expat deportations of those found committing traffic law violations such as speeding. A report in the emirate’s Al-Anbaa newspaper claims that a senior interior ministry spokesperson said 1,258 foreigners had been deported after their convictions.
During a month-long crackdown, Kuwaiti police have targeted foreigners driving without a license, breaking the speed limit, jumping a red light or using their vehicles to transport paying passengers. All these offences carry deportation without a court order as a penalty.
Kuwait’s Society for Human Rights has strongly condemned the deportations, calling them oppressive and demanding that the government halt the crackdown. A spokesman for the organisation said that oppressive measures used against expats clearly violate the principles of human rights.
The spokesperson added that, as Kuwait is at present under scrutiny as regards its human rights record, the deportations could tarnish its reputation still further as well as its image with overseas visitors. Kuwaiti nationals committing the same offences have their cars confiscated and are sent to court.
Expat residents in the emirate must present a university degree, have lived in Kuwait for at least 24 months and receive a monthly salary of at least £920 to be allowed to apply for a driving license. The deportations are rumoured to be linked with a previous announcement by the Minister of Social Affairs and Labour stating that Kuwait will deport 100,000 expats annually for the next 10 years.
Human rights groups are condemning the recent spate of expat deportations of those found committing traffic law violations such as speeding. A report in the emirate’s Al-Anbaa newspaper claims that a senior interior ministry spokesperson said 1,258 foreigners had been deported after their convictions.
During a month-long crackdown, Kuwaiti police have targeted foreigners driving without a license, breaking the speed limit, jumping a red light or using their vehicles to transport paying passengers. All these offences carry deportation without a court order as a penalty.
Kuwait’s Society for Human Rights has strongly condemned the deportations, calling them oppressive and demanding that the government halt the crackdown. A spokesman for the organisation said that oppressive measures used against expats clearly violate the principles of human rights.
The spokesperson added that, as Kuwait is at present under scrutiny as regards its human rights record, the deportations could tarnish its reputation still further as well as its image with overseas visitors. Kuwaiti nationals committing the same offences have their cars confiscated and are sent to court.
Expat residents in the emirate must present a university degree, have lived in Kuwait for at least 24 months and receive a monthly salary of at least £920 to be allowed to apply for a driving license. The deportations are rumoured to be linked with a previous announcement by the Minister of Social Affairs and Labour stating that Kuwait will deport 100,000 expats annually for the next 10 years.
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