Your Highness:
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is writing to express its
concern about the criminal prosecution recently launched against Muhammad
al-Jasem, editor of the daily Al-Watan.
On June 8, Kuwait's Council of Ministers filed a legal suit against
al-Jasem for allegedly "object[ing] to the rights and powers of the
Emir publicly," a crime punishable by up to five years in jail under
Kuwaiti law. The charges stem from a speech al-Jasem made the previous
day at the campaign gathering for a parliamentary candidate during which
al-Jasem criticized official misconduct in the electoral process in
Kuwait.
The journalist has noted that his comments were not unique and that
others have voiced similar criticisms openly in Kuwait without repercussion.
He also pointed out that his comments contained no mention of Your Majesty.
Al-Jasem believes that the legal case against him was prompted by his
recent advocacy against a restrictive draft press law and criticisms
of Kuwaiti officials in his newspaper.
Whatever the motive, it seems clear that al-Jasem is being prosecuted
because of his ideas and opinions in violation of international norms
on freedom of expression. We respectfully call on Your Highness to do
everything within your power to ensure that the criminal charges against
al-Jasem are dropped immediately.
Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. We await your reply.
Sincerely,
Ann K. Cooper
Executive Director
