By Khaled Al-Abdulhadi and Chidi Emmanuel

KUWAIT: Filming without prior approval remains a punishable offense under Kuwaiti law, particularly under the regulations of the Communication and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA). However, legal experts say that in certain circumstances, unauthorized recordings may be accepted as evidence in criminal investigations or court proceedings.

Speaking to Kuwait Times, lawyer Ali Abu Al-Melh of the SILAW legal firm explained that while the act of filming without official permission is criminalized, the legality of such recordings depends heavily on how and why the footage is used. “For instance, if someone is walking down the street and witnesses a crime—such as an assault—and documents it for the purpose of reporting it to the concerned authorities, they would not be held legally accountable,” he said.

However, Abu Al-Melh warned that legal responsibility arises when the footage is shared publicly, especially on social media platforms. “In such cases, the individual is no longer simply reporting an incident but is exposing the crime to the public, which could carry legal and ethical implications,” he noted. He also emphasized that filming inside private residences or other restricted spaces without the consent of those involved—regardless of the filmer’s intention—would constitute a violation of privacy. “Even if the aim is to report illegal behavior, evidence obtained through such means would be considered inadmissible,” he added.

The decision to accept or reject such recordings as evidence ultimately lies with the judiciary. “The admissibility of criminal evidence is among the most complex and debated legal issues,” Abu Al-Melh said. “Judges may accept the footage as valid evidence or downgrade it to a supporting presumption, depending on the case and context.” Kuwaiti authorities continue to enforce strict laws surrounding photography and videography in both public and private spaces, with particular attention to national security, privacy rights, and cultural sensitivities. Recording near government buildings, military zones, oil facilities, hospitals, or other sensitive sites is strictly prohibited without prior permission from the Ministry of Information or Ministry of Interior.

Similarly, filming individuals without their knowledge or consent—whether in public or private—can result in legal action under Kuwait’s penal code and cybercrime legislation. Publishing such material online may also lead to defamation charges or breaches of data protection laws. “During the national celebrations, we were simply taking photos and videos along the Gulf Road when security officers suddenly approached us. They asked us to stop filming in certain areas and requested that we delete some of the footage we had taken,” Amin, an Egyptian expatriate, told Kuwait Times while walking with his friends.

In light of these restrictions, the legal expert reiterated that all content creators, journalists, and filmmakers must obtain a formal filming license before undertaking any media production. The application must specify the nature, location and purpose of the filming. Unauthorized filming may result in legal consequences, including fines, confiscation of equipment, or prosecution. As Kuwait continues to advance its media environment, the government urges responsible and ethical content creation that aligns with national laws and upholds the values of privacy, respect and public order.

KUWAIT: Kuwait has introduced sweeping changes to its decades-old weapons law, expanding it beyond firearms and ammunition to cover knives and air guns — a move officials say is aimed at curbing “growing violence” in the country and protecting public safety.

The changes are part of Decree Law No 90 of 2025, which amends the original 1991 legislation that regulated the possession and use of guns. The update comes as authorities report a noticeable increase in incidents where white weapons (such as knives and blunt objects) and air-powered guns have been used to intimidate or harm people in public places.

The law gives the Ministry of Interior broader powers to restrict how and where these weapons are used, and imposes new criminal penalties on those who violate the rules — including jail time, fines and possible business closures.

Why is this happening now?

According to an explanatory note published alongside the law, the government is responding to “a widespread rise” in the use of knives and air guns in attacks and public threats. Officials say these weapons were not adequately covered under the old legislation, creating gaps in enforcement that contributed to a rise in public safety concerns. By updating the law, the government says it hopes to deter such behaviour and bring the legal framework in line with current security needs.

What’s new in the law?

One of the most significant changes is the expanded definition of what counts as a weapon. For the first time, the law regulates “white weapons” — a literal translation of an Arabic term for weapons including knives, machetes and other sharp or blunt instruments — and “dangerous air weapons”, such as air rifles or pistols with a caliber of six millimetres or more.

Possessing or carrying these items now requires a government-issued license, just like firearms. The law also introduces a new category of “prohibited places,” where carrying any weapon is banned. These include: public gatherings and commercial centres; places of worship; public transport; schools and universities; and other areas that the Ministry of Interior can designate at its discretion. Even licensed weapons are banned in these areas unless there’s a clear personal or professional justification.

What are the penalties?

The amendments set out a range of new penalties, including up to one year in jail and a fine of KD 1,000 for carrying a knife or air gun in a prohibited place without valid reason. Anyone who uses such weapons to deliberately frighten someone in public can be sentenced to up to two years in jail. Individuals or businesses that import, sell, or market these weapons without a license face fines of up to KD 5,000, plus potential shutdowns.

Penalties are doubled for repeat offenses, and in all cases, the weapons involved will be confiscated by authorities. The law maintains the long-standing complete ban on silencers, machine guns and cannons, regardless of license status.

As before, members of the police, army, National Guard, and fire services are exempt from these restrictions when carrying weapons as part of their official duties. The Interior Minister may also exempt other entities on a case-by-case basis.

What happens next?

The amended law will take effect three months after it is published in the official gazette. Until then, individuals and businesses have a grace period to review their compliance — and apply for licenses if needed. If you own a knife, BB gun, or other potentially restricted item, now’s the time to find out whether it falls under the new rules. And if you carry or sell such items without a permit, you could soon face legal consequences.

KUWAIT: Kuwait has introduced new regulations to govern the country’s charitable organizations — nonprofit organizations that serve as a backbone of local and international aid work. The move is part of a broader push by the Ministry of Social Affairs to tighten oversight and ensure transparency across the country’s nonprofit sector.

The updated regulation, issued Sunday under Ministerial Decision No 90, replaces a 2015 framework that had governed the creation and operation of charitable associations for nearly a decade. It introduces streamlined procedures for registration, stricter rules on board eligibility, and more robust mechanisms for oversight.

But with a separate law also introduced in June this year for charitable foundations — known locally as mabarat — some are wondering: What’s the difference, and why now?

Associations vs foundations

The regulation published in Sunday’s Kuwait Al-Youm applies specifically to charitable organizations — these are typically membership-based organizations governed by a general assembly. Members elect the board, vote on budgets and reports, and participate in decision-making.

In contrast, charitable foundations, governed by the June 2025 regulation, are non-membership-based entities often created through endowments or donations. They are managed by a board of directors appointed by founders.

So, What’s new in Sunday’s regulations? The new rules introduce a more detailed and centralized regulatory structure than the one introduced in 2015. Here are the biggest changes:

Fewer founders

In 2015, starting a charitable association required at least 50 Kuwaiti founders. The new regulation lowers that to just 10. But the bar for eligibility has been raised: board members must now be at least 30 years old and hold a university degree. Founders must have clean legal records and formally commit not to request financial support from the government.

The 2025 rules strengthen the Ministry of Social Affairs’ role in monitoring organizations at every stage — from registration to elections and fundraising.

Organizations are now required to: Notify the ministry before any public fundraising activity; seek ministry approval to relocate, expand, or even admit new members; and provide full member lists and financial reports upon request. Perhaps most notably, the ministry must be physically present at general assemblies for decisions to be valid. If it withdraws from a meeting, the assembly is automatically invalidated.

Clearer penalties

The application process to start a charity organization is more structured under the new rules. The ministry must issue a decision on registration within one month of receiving a complete application. A dedicated register must now log all applications — accepted or rejected — along with reasons for refusal. Rejected applications can be appealed within a month. The new framework lays out a clear escalation process for violations: Associations get one written warning. If they fail to correct the issue within one week, their bank accounts are frozen. Repeated violations or financial misreporting can lead to suspension or even dissolution — with the cabinet’s approval. In contrast, the 2015 regulation used a longer enforcement ladder, with two warnings spaced out over a month or more, and didn’t clearly spell out consequences for repeated non-compliance.

Why Now?

The updated regulation comes amid heightened scrutiny of charitable activity in Kuwait, especially around fundraising transparency and potential misuse of funds. In early 2025, the ministry temporarily suspended all charitable fundraising in response to unauthorized donation drives on unofficial platforms but has since lifted the suspension.

Kuwait is now in the final stages of approving a comprehensive law to regulate charitable work and strengthen oversight over the sector. A key feature of the law is the creation of a governmental ‘center’, dedicated to humanitarian work, serving as a unified authority overseeing all aspects of charitable activities. The new law is currently under legal review and is expected to be finalized in the coming weeks.