KUWAIT CITY, May 2: The Women and Family Affairs Committee was set to discuss Sunday Article 153 of the Penal Code, which stipulates light penalties for those involved in honor killing crimes in light of the recent crimes against women. Minister of Interior Sheikh Thamer Ali Al-Sabah, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Nazaha Enhancement Abdullah Al-Rumi, and Minister of Social Affairs and Societal Development Dr Mashaan Muhammad Mashaan are expected to attend the meeting.

In another development, MP Mehalhal Al-Mudaf said it is inappropriate to criticize charitable work which is part of the Kuwait society and distinguishes it from other countries. He urged those who have evidence that the Kuwaiti Muslim Brotherhood or any other bloc is involved in conspiracies to inform the concerned authorities. He added that whoever accuses the Brotherhood of involvement in conspiracies must present proof to the authorities.

The parliamentary Legal and Legislative Affairs Committee approved two bills on amending Handicapped Affairs Law number 8/2010, and forwarded reports on these bills to the other concerned panel. One of the bills grants the right to take care of a handicapped to the person who obtained custody over the latter as per a court verdict. This is aimed at addressing problems resulting from family disputes and divorce cases.

According to the existing law, the father who got divorced has the right to take care of his handicapped child even if the child is under the custody of his mother (ex-wife). This loophole in the existing law enables the divorced father to receive benefits and allowances allocated for his handicapped child although the latter is under the custody of the mother who should be granted such privileges. The other bill amends Article 42 of the law in order to grant the right to receive indemnity to public sector employees with medium or severe disabilities, as well as the employees taking care of handicapped relatives.

By Saeed Mahmoud Saleh Arab Times Staff