(With POL-KUWAIT-NA-PENAL LAW) KUWAIT, May 3 (KUNA) --- Minister of Justice and Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Jamal Ahmad Al-Shihab confirmed Thursday that the government would not reject the anti-blasphemy bill.
In press statements following the National Assembly's session for approving the bill, Al-Shihab said respecting religions and religious symbols does not contradict international conventions. "Freedom of expression does not mean defaming or offending sanctities of nations," Al-Shihab said.
He also noted the bill has not contradicted previous fatwas, religious edicts, of the Fatwa Committee of the Ministry.
The National Assembly passed Thursday the proposal to add two articles to the penal code to toughen punishment for abuse or disrespect of The Almighty, the Prophet, and the Prophets.
The first article makes insulting or mocking God and His Prophets and Messengers, Holy Quran, Prophet Mohammad and his wives punishable by death, if the offenders insisted on the crime and refused to declare his repentance.
The same punishment is applied to those who describe themselves as new prophets or messengers from God.
But if the accused is a non-Muslim, the punishment would be lowered to jail for no more than 10 years.
The second article states that who commits the abovementioned crimes and declares repentance shall be punished with imprisonment for no more than 5 years or paying a fine that does not exceed 10,000 Kuwaiti dinars. (end) Kt.ibi KUNA 031720 May 12NNNN