Source: Amnesty International –
A counterterrorism law enacted in Kuwait in the wake of Iranian strikes on the Gulf, following the unlawful US-Israeli attacks on Iran, contains overly broad and vague provisions that threaten the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, association and movement, while significantly expanding the scope of the death penalty, Amnesty International said today.
On 15 March 2026, the Emir of Kuwait issued Decree-Law No. 47 of 2026 on Combating Terrorism Crimes, which adopts an overly broad and vague definition of ‘terrorist’ acts. The counterterrorism law forms part of a sweeping package of legal and judicial measures introduced in March 2026 shortly after the Iran war began in the name of “countering terrorism”. Measures include the establishment of a specialized prosecution branch and specially designated courts for terrorism-related charges, as well as significantly expanding the scope of the death penalty for “terrorist acts.”
National security must not be used as a justification to trample on rights and expand state powers, and responding to any legitimate threats must be pursued in a manner consistent with international law.
Mahmoud Shalaby, Amnesty International
“National security must not be used as a justification to trample on rights and expand state powers, and responding to any legitimate threats must be pursued in a manner consistent with international law. Kuwaiti authorities introduced counterterrorism legislation that expands the scope of the death penalty and permits punitive and arbitrary restrictions on freedom of movement and association for people who have not been convicted of a crime. The new law further grants authorities dangerous discretion to arrest, prosecute and sentence people for engaging in conduct that is protected under international human rights law, including expression and assembly,” said Mahmoud Shalaby, Regional Researcher at Amnesty International.
“While the introduction of these measures came during a crisis, amid Iranian retaliatory attacks on Kuwait, under international law, states may only derogate from certain obligations in extremely limited circumstances, after formal notification, and certain rights cannot be derogated from under any circumstances, including the right to life and the principle of legality. Kuwaiti authorities must urgently amend the new law to ensure that counterterrorism measures comply with their international human rights obligations. They should also immediately establish a moratorium on the use of the death penalty,” said Mahmoud Shalaby.
Amnesty International reviewed Decree-Law No. 47 of 2026 on Combating Terrorism Crimes, Law No. 106 of 2013 on Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism, Decree-Law No. 51 of 2026 on Designating Criminal Circuits to Hear Cases Concerning Crimes against External and Internal State Security and Terrorist Crimes, and the Kuwaiti Penal Code. The organisation also spoke to two individuals in relation to arrests under the new counterterrorism law, who requested anonymity given well-justified fears of reprisals, amid a wider crackdown on freedom of expression since the US-Israeli unlawful attacks on Iran on 28 February 2026 and Iran’s retaliatory attacks on Gulf states.