Kuwait Abolishes Article 153 in Landmark Legal Reform

 

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In a historic move for justice and women’s rights, Kuwait has abolished Article 153 of its Penal Code, a law that previously provided leniency to men who killed female relatives in so-called "honor" killings. This legal reform ensures that such crimes are now classified as murder, closing a long-standing loophole that allowed perpetrators to evade full accountability.

Also read :Kuwait Abolishes Article 153 in Landmark Legal Reform

Honor killings are acts of violence committed by family members, typically male relatives, who claim that a woman’s behavior has dishonored the family. Under the now-abolished law, men could receive a significantly reduced sentence—often no more than three years—if they killed a wife, daughter, sister, or mother under claims of catching them in an "indecent" situation.

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With the repeal of Article 153, Kuwait strengthens its commitment to human rights and gender equality. This step brings the nation in line with global efforts to combat gender-based violence, ensuring equal protection under the law and reaffirming that all forms of murder are unacceptable, regardless of motive.