Kuwait City: A bill No. 70 of 2025 has been issued to annul Articles 159 and 182 of Kuwait's Penal Code No. 16, which was originally enacted in 1960.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the annulment of Article 159 underscores the State's commitment to safeguarding the right to life, a cornerstone of the Constitution and a fundamental principle in Islamic Sharia, as stated by Minister of Justice Nasser Al-Sumait. The Minister emphasized that reducing the punishment for murder is indefensible under any circumstances.
Minister Al-Sumait explained that Article 159, prior to its cancellation, imposed a sentence of five years in jail and/or a fine not exceeding 375 dinars on a mother who intentionally killed her newborn child immediately after birth to avoid shame. This article was not aligned with Kuwait's international commitments, particularly the children's rights agreement, which mandates maximum protection for children from all forms of negligence and violence.
The annulment signifies the State's intent to align its legislation with international standards based on equity, the Minister highlighted. Furthermore, Article 182, which exempted a kidnapper from punishment if he married the person he kidnapped, has also been abolished. This article conflicted with constitutional provisions, established legal principles, and relevant international charters.
The Minister pointed out that the article unjustly allowed a criminal to evade punishment by marrying the victim, thereby creating a legal disadvantage against women's rights and undermining equality before the law.