This would qualify as a Monty Python skit if it wasn’t real. (Warning: Fairly shocking pic below the fold.)
Kuwait’s parliament approved a law that calls for the death penalty for insulting the Prophet Muhammad, his wives and relatives, in a sign of the growing sway of Islamists who triumphed in elections this year.
Amnesty International describes the thing as “a massive step backwards” for Kuwait. Jeez, you think?
Under the law, any Muslim who, through any form of expression, insults God, his prophets, messengers, Prophet Mohammad’s wives or the Qur’an will be subject to the death penalty unless the defendant repents. If he does, then the judge is to instead impose a sentence of at least 5 years in prison and a fine equivalent to $36,000 (US).
This is the second approval of the measure, and it will now go to the emir for approval, and then to official publication, after which it will be the law.
The stories I could find don’t provide a lot of detail as to what sorts of things will be considered insults, or whether they even have to happen within Kuwait. They do all specify that the main target of the law appears to be Muslims. Islam: Once you’re in, you’re IN.
For non-Muslims, equivalent acts would bring a jail sentence of “no more than” 10 years. Guess I’ll avoid those fun-loving vacations in sunny Kuwait for a while.
Via Bloomberg: “Islam is a religion of tolerance, peace and acceptance, but that doesn’t mean it should be stepped on,” lawmaker Ali al-Deqbasi told the house before the vote.
Ha-ha. Yeah. “Offensive” free speech brings state-sanctioned murder. You go, Kuwait, you modern nation.