Kuwait's interior ministry has rejected a proposal by MPs requiring foreigners leaving the country to obtain a permit from their sponsors and said that a ban on veiled woman drivers will continue.
In a written response to the National Assembly yesterday, the ministry said that asking expatriates to get a no-objection certificate contravenes the country's policy of facilitating freedom of travel as long as there is no legal barrier.
"The ministry has in place an advanced system at the border terminals that would prevent anyone, regardless of nationality, of leaving the country if he is wanted for any legal reason," the statement added.
In addition, names of suspects are immediately stored in the computer system, which prevents them from departing, the ministry said.
"Moreover, the proposal is difficult to apply because foreigners who want to leave on an emergency may not be able to do so if their sponsors are out of the country or cannot be reached," it added.
The ministry pointed out that existing measures are sufficient, which allow foreigners working in the private sector to leave the country any time they wish.
A majority of sponsors in Kuwait keep passports of their foreign employees, although this measure is in violation of the law.
Meanwhile, the ministry also rejected a proposal by Islamist MP Waleed Al Tabtabaie to allow women drivers to wear a veil, or face cover, in keeping with the social traditions.
It said that wearing the veil by drivers risks clear vision and control of the car and can lead to accidents. It can also be used as means of disguise by criminals.
The ministry issued a law in 1984 forbidding female drivers from wearing a veil. The law was not implemented due to social considerations, said the ministry. "But due to the clashes in January between militants and security forces, the law was imposed as veils were used by some to disguise themselves."
Gulf News
