KUWAIT CITY, June 30: MPs Abdulkareem Al-Kandari, Abdulaziz Al-Saqaabi, Muhannad Al-Sayer, Thamer Al-Suwait Farz Al-Daihani and Obaid Al-Wasmi have rejected the decision of Interior Minister Sheikh Thamer Ali Al-Sabah to deport a Jordanian for participating in a sit-in at Erada Square to express objection to health regulations regarding unvaccinated individuals.

Al-Wasmi said the decision violates the International Declaration of Human Rights, stressing that freedom of expression is part of human rights which do not distinguish between the expatriates and citizens. Al-Kandari argued that if freedom of speech, which is safeguarded by the Constitution, is only applicable to citizens; it will be turned into a tool for discrimination among individuals based on citizenship. He added that it is not right to deport an expatriate for expressing his opinion, especially since the latter neither defamed Kuwait nor maligned democracy.

Al-Daihani pointed out the expatriate did nothing but criticize decisions which affected himself and he has the right to do so. He wondered if an expatriate worker will be deported just because he demanded for the payment of his salary. Al-Sayer intends to follow up the cancellation of the deportation decision as part of his humanitarian duty rather than his political duty. Al-Suwait stressed that it is unacceptable to boast about our free and democratic country if racism and chauvinism are practiced here. He suggested the deportation decision should be issued as a court verdict rather than putting it in the hands of security authorities.

By Saeed Mahmoud Saleh Arab Times Staff and Agencies