Kuwait
Foreign Nationals and the Death Penalty
Death Penalty Overview
The death penalty is used relatively
frequently in Kuwait. The method of
execution used in Kuwait is hanging,
although shooting can also be used in some
circumstances.
There were believed to be about 55 people
on death row in 2021, most of whom were
foreign nationals. According to Amnesty
International, at least 110 people were
sentenced to death in Kuwait between 2016
and 2021 and seven people were executed.
The death penalty may be imposed for a
number of crimes, including murder, drug
traf cking, rape, treason, kidnapping,
espionage and terrorism (for which it is
mandatory).
Death penalty cases are automatically
reviewed by the appellate court, which, if
failed, can then go to the Supreme Court and
the to the Emir for approval.
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Since 2002, executions have occurred at
Nayef Palace. Prisoners are held in solitary
con nement until the day of their execution,
where they are transported to the execution
ground.
Some prisoners are executed in public and
newspapers may publish pictures of the
dead bodies as a deterrent.
Cases are fraught with human rights
concerns, with some prisoners being
sentenced to death in absentia. Foreign
nationals often do not have access to legal
counsel or consular support. There is also
evidence that prisoners of African or Black
heritage are particularly discriminated
against.
Foreign Nationals
Kuwait has a large proportion of foreign
nationals, who make up around 73% of the
population.
However, the proportion of foreign nationals
on death row is higher still. There were at
least 47 foreign nationals under sentence of
death between 2016 and 2021 in Kuwait. The
largest group of these were from India, with
another large group from Pakistan. The rest