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Amnesty International has warned that a counterterrorism law enacted by Kuwait in the wake of Iranian strikes contains overly broad and vague provisions that threaten the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, association and movement while significantly expanding the scope of the death penalty. In a release titled “Kuwait: Counterterrorism measures introduced amid Iran war endanger fundamental rights, expand death penalty – Amnesty International,” the organization detailed how the measures were introduced following US-Israeli attacks on Iran that began on February 28, 2026, and led to retaliatory actions across the Gulf. The group said the legislation risks criminalizing peaceful dissent under the guise of national security.
The main legislation, Law No. 47 of 2026 issued on March 15, defines terrorist acts to include efforts to compel a public authority to perform or refrain from an act that can encompass politically motivated actions intended to influence government decisions, according to an Amnesty International assessment. This decree elevates certain life sentences to the death penalty for terrorism-related offenses. Authorities also issued Law No. 13 of 2026 on the same day, criminalizing the publication of false rumors related to military entities with penalties of up to 10 years in prison.
Amendments to the nationality law permit stripping individuals of citizenship if deemed necessary for the state’s supreme interests or if authorities possess serious evidence that a person has promoted principles liable to undermine the country’s economic, social or political system, Amnesty International reported. These changes formed part of a rapid legislative response to the regional conflict during which Iran launched repeated strikes on Kuwaiti infrastructure. A specialized state security court established in early April gained exclusive jurisdiction over internal and external security offenses.
Between March 1 and 30, the Kuwaiti government announced the arrest of 33 people including at least three women and one foreign national on charges linked to online content such as sympathy with terrorist groups, sharing harmful videos or spreading false information, Amnesty International figures show. The state security court issued rulings against 204 defendants in April and May for offenses including expressing sympathy with the Iranian aggression, inciting sectarian strife and disseminating false news, according to local media cited in the rights assessment. The number of reported prosecutions substantially exceeded the number of announced arrests.
The measures arrived as Kuwait confronted threats on several fronts including the foiling of an ISIS-linked plot in August 2026 and the dismantling of cells affiliated with Hezbollah, The National newspaper reported. Iranian attacks hit Kuwait 17 times over a 23-day period in July and early August targeting power stations, water plants and other facilities, the publication added. Amnesty International urged authorities to narrow the legal definitions to prevent erosion of human rights protections.
Prosecutors investigated individuals in related cases on charges ranging from harming national interests and misuse of a mobile phone to inciting sectarian strife and hindering national unity, the rights group documented. One defendant faced a combination of these accusations tied to expression activities. Kuwaiti officials have stated that the legislation enables preemptive actions to prevent terrorist crimes before they occur, as noted in explanatory materials published with the decree in the official gazette.
