Kuwait hit in rights report again.

CORRUPTION, TRAFFICKING.

KUWAIT CITY, March 12: Kuwait has yet to take appropriate steps to end government corruption and trafficking in persons, according to the 2009 report on human rights abuses around the world released by the US State Department Thursday. "The Kuwaiti government has failed to strictly implement a law mandating criminal penalties for official corruption. Some ministries have uncovered the anomalous practices of their employees, particularly those who forge documents for the recruitment of expatriate workers abroad. Violations have been forwarded to the investigative committees within the concerned ministries and then to the Attorney General's Office for the necessary action. Public officials are not also subject to financial disclosure laws," adds the report.

"Trafficking in persons is also a serious problem as the existing law does not include a clear stipulation on banning this activity, while it prohibits transnational slavery and prostitution. Kuwait has also been identified as a destination and transit point for men and women for forced labor. It has been reported that foreign workers below 18 years old have been recruited as household workers but most of the trafficking victims are adults," it says.

The specialist in trading and investment. Other issues highlighted in the report include the fact that women do not enjoy equal rights even if the country witnessed certain developments in this regard last year. On Oct 20, the Criminal Court issued a verdict allowing women to obtain a passport without asking permission from the husband. The same court also settled disagreements over the interpretation of the 2005 women's suffrage amendment to the 1962 election law when it ruled that female lawmakers, women who contest the legislative elections, and female voters are not legally required to wear the 'hijab' (headscarf) on Oct 28.

"Moreover, the expatriate workers have been encountering difficulties in the domestic and unskilled service sectors. Many cleaning workers and security guards staged protest actions during the year as some companies delayed the payment of their workers' salaries for several months, and others complained about their employers' failure to renew their residence permits," says the report.

On respect for human rights, the report pointed out the Criminal Law prohibits torture and other inhumane punishment but some police officers have been accused of abusing inmates, especially the non-Gulf Arabs and Asians. "The government has conducted investigations on the alleged abuse and imposed the corresponding punishment on a few offenders. However, the executive authority did not announce results of investigations or penalties imposed on the perpetrators in a majority of the cases," the report added.

On freedom of expression and the press, the report pointed out the government sometimes failed to respect these freedoms, while journalists and publishers practiced self-censorship. It says the country has 14 Arabic and three English daily newspapers - all are privately owned. Generally, the print media enjoys independence and allows diversity of opinion but there are allegations that media institutions sometimes practice self-censorship to avoid clashes with the government.

LWDLIK- We all know there are problems here with these issues. What we don't know is why can't the situation be dealt with? It's not difficult, someone breaks the law then they should receive appropriate punishment regardless of who they are. My personal opinion is that trafficking and inhumane treatment of employees should be dealt with VERY severely.