KUWAIT: The Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor recently finished studying the new charities’ law and referred it to the Fatwa and Legislation Department for further study.

The new law includes 81 articles, including an article that could prevent criticizing the works of charity organizations in Kuwait. Article 72 states that: “He who publishes false news, information or statistics or intentionally spreads rumors or publicity that would negatively affect charity work and trust in a certain charity would be penalized by the minimum of KD 10,000 and the maximum of KD 20,000.” In addition, article 68 states that: “He who represents a non-proclaimed charity or continues to do so after it is suspended, or those who collect donations without ministry permission will be punished by a maximum of three years prison and/or a KD 1000-5000 fine plus confiscating the collected sums.

Meanwhile, article 69 punishes whoever practices activities other than those a charity had been founded for. They would be punished by a maximum of two years in prison and/or a KD 1,000- 3,000 fine. — Al-Jarida