A new Kuwaiti conservative group said on Monday it had asked parliament to draft a law allowing political parties in the conservative Gulf Arab state. State security summoned leaders of the Umma Party for interrogation last week, saying they were "trying to change the regime" in Kuwait, which bans parties but tolerates some associations. "The party presented today to the speaker and members of the National Assembly a proposal on organising the affairs of political parties and political groupings so that it would be presented as a draft law," Umma Party said in statement.
The group, which filed for a permit in January, has dismissed the government's allegations as an attempt to silence its members, who include prominent Islamists.
Umma, which describes itself as conservative and comprises Kuwaitis from different political leanings, has said it opposes the presence of US forces in the oil-rich region.
There are some 30,000 US soldiers in Kuwait, a staunch US ally and a main springboard for the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
Kuwait is cracking down on militants opposed to the foreign presence following deadly clashes between police and gunmen.
"Umma Party is committed to peaceful political work in line with the constitution and law, and renews its call for political reform by allowing plurality and political parties," it said.
It also called for amending election, press and association laws to ensure more freedom, justice and equality.
Kuwait has a few political groups, including a branch of the Muslim Brotherhood - the Islamic Constitutional Movement - and the hard-line Sunni Muslim Salafist Movement. There are 15 Islamists in its 50-member elected parliament.
Comments
Comments are closed.