Kuwait

Same-sex sexual activity is prohibited under the Penal Code 1960, which criminalises acts of ‘consensual sex’. This provision carries a maximum penalty of seven years’ imprisonment. Only men are criminalised under this law. In addition to potentially being captured by laws that criminalise same-sex activity, trans people were previously criminalised under Article 198 of the Penal Code, which prohibited the ‘imitation of the opposite sex’, however this law was found to be unconstitutional in 2022.

Kuwait was a British protectorate until its independence in 1961. The 1960 Penal Code, adopted just prior to formal independence, continues to be in operation today and criminalises same-sex sexual activity. According to the Constitution, Islamic law is the main source of legislation in Kuwait.

There is some evidence of the law criminalising same-sex sexual activity being enforced in recent years. There was substantial evidence of the law criminalising ‘imitation of the opposite sex’ being enforced prior to it being found unconstitutional in 2022. There have been some reports of discrimination being committed against LGBT people in recent years, and transgender people appear particularly vulnerable to abuse.

2023

In August, the Ministry of Information announced a ban on the film Barbie, saying it “promulgates ideas and beliefs that are alien to Kuwaiti society and public order”.

2022

In February, Kuwait’s Constitutional Court overturned Article 198 of the Penal Code 1960 which since 2007 criminalised the ‘imitation of the opposite sex’, ruling it unconstitutional. The law had been used to criminalise trans people, including convictions as recently as 2021 (see below). The move was welcomed by human rights organisations, including Amnesty International which hailed the development as a “major breakthrough” for transgender rights in the Gulf Arab region.

In June, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry asked members of the public to report any displays or promotion of the ‘pride flag’ or other symbols of the LGBT community.

2023

In September, the General Department of Criminal Investigation, represented by the Department for the Protection of Public Morals, arrested a number of individuals on charges of acts contrary to public morals and incitement to debauchery and immorality, in Mahboula, Salmiya, Hawalli, and Farwaniya, and they were referred to the competent authorities to take all legal measures against them. It is unclear how many people were arrested, local newspapers citing 71 or 31 individuals, and whether they were charged or not under Article 193 criminalising sex between men.

2021

In October, a transgender Kuwaiti woman was sentenced to two years in prison for “imitating the opposite sex” under Article 198 of the 1960 Penal Code.

2017

In April, it was reported that police arrested 41 people in a raid of a “homosexual massage parlour”.

A “moral” crackdown on the LGBT community was reported in August. Authorities deported 76 men and shut down 22 massage parlours that were suspected of being a hub for homosexual activity.

2014

In May, 32 individuals were arrested for taking part in an alleged “gay party”. Numerous arrests have previously been reported.

2012

A Human Rights Watch report on transgender individuals living in Kuwait suggested Article 198 was used to arbitrarily arrest transgender people, but that there were very few actual prosecutions.

A series of mass arrests as part of a ‘morality campaign’ were reported in 2012. The arrests appeared to target LGBT people and others suspected of ‘immoral activities’. It is not clear whether any of these arrests resulted in prosecution.

2020

The US Department of State report noted that societal discrimination and harassment occurred, and was practiced by officials. No registered LGBT organisations existed, and no public events or pride marches were held.

2017

In September, a Polish Instagram celebrity was arrested in a Kuwaiti mall for looking too feminine. He was detained by the police, humiliated and beaten before being released and deported after two weeks of detention. 

2012

A report by Human Rights Watch documented significant societal discrimination and abuse of transgender women, including harassment, sexual assault, physical violence, and psychological abuse.

2018

In October, the authorities banned the Indian movie, “5 Weddings”, because it featured Hijras.

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