Amnesty International has expressed significant concerns regarding Kuwait’s recent enactment of its counter-terrorism law, Decree No. 47 of 2026, which threatens to curtail fundamental human rights. The legislation, which surfaces amidst ongoing tensions and attacks related to the US-Israel conflict with Iran, has sparked alarm over its potential to erode freedoms of assembly and expression. Enacted in March 2026, the decree introduces broad and vague definitions of terrorism, extending the scope of the death penalty for any offense deemed a terrorist act. It also establishes specialized courts exclusively for terrorism-related charges, raising fears of arbitrary arrests and prosecutions.
Kuwait’s move comes after retaliatory attacks by Iranian authorities on allied groups in Kuwait, which resulted in the reported deaths of eight Kuwaitis. The law’s definition of a “terrorist act” is expansive, encompassing acts or threats that could damage national resources, public or private property, or various modes of transportation and infrastructure. This broad characterization poses significant risks for peaceful advocacy and dissent, potentially silencing voices critical of government actions or policies. In addition, the law introduces a problematic “terrorism danger” category, granting authorities excessive discretion without clearly defining responsible bodies, thus creating opportunities for misuse.
Amnesty International, through its Regional Researcher Mahmoud Shalaby, underscored that national security should not justify the infringement of rights and expansion of state powers, emphasizing the necessity for responses to legitimate threats to align with international legal standards. Prior to this law, Kuwait’s framework against terrorism was established by its 2013 Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism law, targeting severe bodily harm and financing offenses.
The Gulf nation has also set up a specialized prosecution branch focused on state security crimes and terrorism financing, with designated courts holding final verdict capabilities for such cases. Amid fears of increased state control, several journalists have faced arrests or loss of citizenship, including Mohammed Saleh al-Sabti and Ahmed Shihab-Eldin, following contentious detentions.
In conjunction with Amnesty’s stance, Human Rights Watch has also raised red flags about the suppression of free expression and unjust detention practices under this law. As tensions escalate, the Gulf Cooperation Council has issued warnings about false information, leading to over a thousand arrests in the region in efforts to curb dissent related to the US-Israeli conflict. The implications of such stringent measures reinforce calls for a balanced approach to security that upholds human rights standards globally.
For additional insights, Amnesty’s detailed concerns can be explored through their report on JURIST, which critiques the comprehensive legal ramifications posed by Kuwait’s decree.