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Kuwait: Political situation
CONSTITUTION
The Kuwaiti Constitution was promulgated on November 16, 1962, but several articles have been suspended by the Emir over the years.
The Constitution declares that Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state, ruled by an Emir heir to Mubarak as Sabah (died 1915). The Emir has executive power, exercising this through the Council of Ministers. The Emir appoints the Prime Minister, and appoints and dismisses ministers on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is usually the Crown Prince. The most important positions in the government, like foreign affairs, defence, interior, finance and oil are filled with members from the ruling Sabah clan.
The Emir also formulates laws, but all laws will have to be national assembly, Majlis. The legal system was codified in 1960, and there are strong traces of influence from Sharia. Even if it is liberal in some fields, as for women's position in the social context, it is marked by much conservatism in other fields, like control of moral behaviour. The Emir is also in charge of establishing public institutions.
The judicial system is divided into two categories, the constitutional court and the ordinary courts. The two lowest ordinary courts are the Traffic Court and Summary Court. Above the Summary Court is the Court of First Instance, then Court of Appeal and highest the Court of Cassation.
Kuwait is divided into 5 governorates, Al Ahmadi (313,000 inhabitants, Farwaniya (498,000 inhabitants), Hawalli (496,000 inhabitants), Al Jahra (252,000 inhabitants) and Kuwait Capital (305,000 inhabitants) (all 1998 estimates). 3 of these are governed by members from the Sabah clan.
CIVIL RIGHTS
Individual freedom is guaranteed to all Kuwaitis. All arrests, punishment or exile shall be imposed within the rulers of law. All Kuwaitis have the freedom of movement and can live where they chose inside the country.
Freedom of opinion and expression is free and full within the boundaries of the law. The Emir can under certain circumstances suppress the freedom of the press, but in general Kuwait is acknowledged for one of the freest presses in the Muslim world.
There are still limitations on democracy, but Kuwait has a developed level of freedom of speech. Kuwait is still very much marked by the control exercised by the hereditary Emir, who is a sole ruler even if there is a government with ministers.
Trade unions are permitted, and private ownership of companies is allowed.
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
The national assembly has 50 members, and of the time being only 13% of the population has the right to vote. Only literate natural-born Kuwaiti male citizens above the age of 21 can vote, with the exception of servicemen and police.
Candidates to the Majlis must be above the age of 30 and literate. Members are elected for a period of 4 years. The Majlis can be dissolved by the Emir, something that has happned twice. New elections must be held within 2 months of the dissolution. In the meantime, the Emir rules by decree. The consequence of Kuwaiti politics, is that the power distribution between the Emir and the Majlis has been under constant testing.
In the elections for the Majlis in 1999, 20 seats were won by Islamist candidates, 14 by liberals, 12 by pro-Government candidates and 4 by independent candidates.
MEDIA
Kuwait has 7 newspapers, with Al-Anbaa as the largest with a circulation of about 105,000. Other large newspapers include Al-Qabas with about 80,000, Al-Seyassah with 70,000 and Al-Watan with about 60,000.
There is a large number of weeklies and periodicals. The monthly Al-Arabi is distributed all over the Arab world in a circulation of about 350,000. Another pan-Arab magazine is the weekly Al-Hadaf with a circulation of about 270,000. An-nadha is published in 170,000 weekly copies, Al-Yazqa in 90,000 every week and Mirzat al-Umma in 80,000 every week. Many other magazines also reach a substantial circle of readers.
There is one official TV-station, and also just one official radio station in Kuwait. But most inhabitants have access to cable or satellite TV.
MILITARY
Military service is for 2 years, but only 1 year for students. Since liberation in 1991 a larger part of the budget is allocated to military expenditures than earlier. The total military forces is limited to less than 15,000 troops, and the country relies much on defence agreements with other nations, like the USA and Russia.
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By: Tore Kjeilen
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