By Abubakar A. Ibrahim
Arab Times Staff
KUWAIT CITY, Dec 20:  Participants at a seminar in the diwaniya of Khalid Al-Shulaimi in Jahra on Monday accused the government of suppressing freedom of speech and called for the release of Kuwait University Law Professor Dr Obaid Al-Wasmi, who has been in detention over the last 21 days pending investigations on several charges, including the alleged abuse and attack on the position of HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.  
Under the theme “Issues of the Nation and the Citizen”, the seminar focused on the violent incidents in the country recently, resulting in the arrest of Al-Wasmi and several others.   
National Democracy Society (NDS) Chairman Nasser Al-Abdali explained the seminar was held in solidarity with Al-Wasmi who, he claimed, was detained just for defending the Constitution and the law, without committing any crime.
Al-Abdali pointed out the assault on citizens at a seminar in the diwaniya of MP Jamaan Al-Harbash earlier this month is an indication that the government is undemocratic.  He said, “The fact that we can still hold seminars shows the strength and resilience of Kuwaitis, who cannot be intimidated or silenced by the Special Forces or anyone keen on gagging our mouths.”
In the meantime, MP Musallam Al-Barrak alleged the government has spent KD 7 million to buy batons in order to use them for beating citizens, adding the Amir did not instruct the securitymen to beat the citizens and that it was the prime minister who asked them to engage in such violent acts.
Al-Barrak disclosed about 21 MPs have agreed to grill the prime minister and present a no-confidence motion against him.  He also accused the corrupt media of undermining national unity and spreading hatred among members of the Kuwait society.
During his speech, Al-Barrak accused Al-Sabah Channel of spying for the government. He then removed the channel’s microphone and demanded its reporters leave the place.  He claimed the channel sends its staff to the seminars to record the proceedings and give the recordings to be used by the government to file lawsuits against those who attend the seminars.
Meanwhile, former parliamentary election candidate Attorney Nawaf Al-Sari asserted the seminars are being held in accordance with the directives of HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.  “I want to convey a message to the ruling family that we affirm our love for the Amir.  We have no intention to defy his orders as hinted by those keen on misleading the public.  We are currently facing several challenges, such as the attempt of some people to suppress freedom of speech and weaken democracy, which have been guaranteed by the Constitution since 1962.  Undermining national unity and disrespecting people’s dignity are tantamount to destroying the pillars of the State,” he stressed.
Another former parliamentary election candidate Khalid Al-Shaiti pointed out the attack on MPs is an act against the whole nation because they represent the country.  He contended the professor, who deserves commendation for his commitment to protect the Constitution, has been wrongly accused of disrespecting the government.  He added the authorities should rather focus on the corrupt media, which has been planting seeds of hatred in the country.  “Today’s media is similar to the Ba’ath Party of the late Saddam Hussein in terms of its destructive propaganda and attempt to divide the nation,” he said.
Al-Shaiti, along with Daifallah Al-Otaibi, accused MP Rola Dashti of supporting the government in its bid to restrict the freedom of people.  This is in reaction to a proposal that the lawmaker presented on Sunday in which she emphasized the need to organize public meetings, demonstrations, parades and gatherings in accordance with the Constitution.
Moreover, members of the Constitution Bloc announced that they have gathered more than 20 signatures to push for the submission of a no-confidence motion against the prime minister.  They also alleged that 11 tribal MPs fully support the government, particularly its attempt to silence the people.  They then called on the electorate not to allow these lawmakers to win parliamentary seats in the future because they prioritize the interests of the few, instead of working in favor of the nation and its people.