KUWAIT CITY, Feb 11: The announcement of Justice Minister Nasser Al-Sumait about the government’s move to cancel Article 153 of the Penal Code, which includes the legal excuse for the perpetrator of an honor crime, is a step in the right direction toward the victory of Kuwaiti women’s rights, considering the demand of women’s, liberal and legal movements in the country to amend it has extended for more than 20 years. The newspaper interviewed female activists and constitutional experts who confirmed they were pleased with this development and emphasized that this article violates Article 29 of the Constitution, which guarantees equality between men and women. They pointed out some have taken advantage of the loophole to commit honor crimes and kill women to obtain their inheritance. Some even referred to it as “a black spot in Kuwait’s humanitarian, regional and international record. Head of Women’s Cultural and Social Society Lulwa Al-Mullah stated that “we have repeatedly called for the repeal of this article, particularly since it continued to contribute to violence against women, as it lessens the punishment for men who kill their wives for committing adultery and allows them to kill their mothers or sisters, which is unfair.

Repealing this article is a victory for women as well as for the Constitution, particularly Article 29.” Constitutional expert and Professor of Law at Kuwait University Dr. Mohammad Al-Filli said the move to cancel Article 153 of the Penal Code is a good development, especially since the text of this article is in favor of men in the event they commit a felony when surprise infidelity occurs. “If this text is removed, the general rules in the Penal Code will apply to men, so there will be reciprocity between men and women and there will be no discrimination between them,” he elaborated.

On the constitutional suspicion over Article 153; he clarified that since the mitigation text in Article 153 is for men without considering the women, canceling this article is consistent with Article 29 of the Constitution, which stipulates gender equality. Legal advisor Anwar Al-Rasheed strongly supports Al-Sumait’s announcement regarding the government’s move to cancel Article 153 of the Penal Code, stressing that “it is unconstitutional and the cancellation will relieve the country of continuous criticism from international human rights organizations. Former head of the Kuwaiti Liberal Society and Kuwaiti women’s rights activist Iman Hayat confirmed that “this step is wonderful and in the right direction, considering it is unfair for women.” She called for the continuation of efforts to address all issues related to Kuwaiti women’s rights. Women’s rights activist and cybersecurity expert Huda Al-Kuraibani considers Article 153 of the Penal Code a stain on the forehead of Kuwaiti law; indicating that she participated in several campaigns to combat discrimination against Kuwaiti women in the past, describing Article 153 as “racist.”

By Najeh Bilal
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff