Cairo, Egypt (AHN) - The Kuwaiti government has again begun arresting citizens who are "imitating the appearance of the opposite sex." Human Rights Watch (HRW) called on the government of Kuwait to investigate these claims and to repeal what they called an "offending provision."
The rights group said that the law and arrests violate Kuwait's human rights obligations.
"This vague and sweeping law is based on prejudice and gives authorities a green light to abuse people over how they dress," said Joe Stork, Middle East director at HRW.
"It violates basic rights to privacy and free expression, and these continuing arrests show why it should be repealed."
The law was approved in an amendment to Kuwait's Criminal Code this past December. It reads that "any person committing an indecent act in a public place, or imitating the appearance of a member of the opposite sex, shall be subject to imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year or a fine not exceeding one thousand dinars ($3,500)."
At least 14 people were arrested during the first month the new amendment was added. More arrests began earlier in March as police began arresting more people for violating the code.
-- Joseph Mayton - AHN Middle East Correspondent
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