Arabia On Line, 28 October 1998

Kuwaiti MPs Call For Corporal Punishment

KUWAIT CITY (AFP) -- A group of MPs have called for corporal punishment to be introduced in Kuwait, under Islamic law, for adultery, drinking alcohol, conversion from Islam, murder, robbery and defamation.

Five MPs on Sunday submitted a draft law calling for Islamic law to replace Kuwait's penal code for the listed crimes.

Last month, an Islamic committee submitted a draft law which aims to censor satellite television received in Kuwait "to make sure programs received are decent."

In 1997, the information ministry banned music concerts or shows which contravene Islamic sharia law and the traditions of Kuwait, in line with parliamentary recommendations.

Follow-up: January 1999: Details of punishments in bill tabled before parliament, in Islamist Kuwaiti MPs Advocate Islamic Punishment