Conventional Long Name: State of Kuwait
Capital city: Kuwait City Government Type: constitutional emirate Independence day: 19 June 1961 gained from United Kingdom National Holiday: National Day, 25 February. National Day is marked by get-togethers, public assemblies, fireworks, and various displays of nationalism such as Kuwaitis in traditional national dress and public buildings illuminated with various lights. Head of Government: Prime Minister Jabir AL-MUBARAK al-Hamad al-Sabah |
Chief of State: Amir Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah
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The executive branch is made up of the Amir (Chief of State) and a prime minister who the Amir appoints. The Amir is considered to be the highest position in the country and must be a descendant of Mubarak the Great (an early Kuwaiti ruler), also, any slandering or libeling of the Amir is unacceptable. The Amir has the power dissolving and sending bills back to the Majlis al-Umma (National Assembly) as well as the power to promulgate and initiate laws, proclaim martial law, declare war, and appoint military officers.
The legislative branch is made up of the unicameral Majlis al-Umma (National Assembly). The Majlis al-Umma has 65 seats 50 of which are elected by popular vote and the other are made up of the 16 cabinet members (one of whom is an elected MP) who are appointed by the prime minister on approval of the Amir. The Majlis al-Umma has the power to initiate legislation, represent public concerns, express views without fear of being reprimanded, question government, and impeach appointed ministers (which they have done multiple times and forced resignation). All elected members to the Majlis al-Umma serve 4 year terms.
The judicial branch is made up the Constitutional Court, which consists of 5 judges and has the power to review law constitutionality and any electoral disputes, and the Court of Cassation (Supreme Court), which is divided into commercial, civil, and criminal circuits each of which has 5 judges. All judges are appointed by the Amir on recommendation of the Supreme Judicial Council, which is comprised of Kuwaiti judges and Ministry of Justice officials.
The legislative branch is made up of the unicameral Majlis al-Umma (National Assembly). The Majlis al-Umma has 65 seats 50 of which are elected by popular vote and the other are made up of the 16 cabinet members (one of whom is an elected MP) who are appointed by the prime minister on approval of the Amir. The Majlis al-Umma has the power to initiate legislation, represent public concerns, express views without fear of being reprimanded, question government, and impeach appointed ministers (which they have done multiple times and forced resignation). All elected members to the Majlis al-Umma serve 4 year terms.
The judicial branch is made up the Constitutional Court, which consists of 5 judges and has the power to review law constitutionality and any electoral disputes, and the Court of Cassation (Supreme Court), which is divided into commercial, civil, and criminal circuits each of which has 5 judges. All judges are appointed by the Amir on recommendation of the Supreme Judicial Council, which is comprised of Kuwaiti judges and Ministry of Justice officials.
Suffrage: Universal to those of 21 years of age (males in military or police force cannot vote and voters must have been citizens for at least 20 years)
Chief of Mission to the U.S.A.: Ambassador Salim al-Abdallah al-Jabir al-Sabah Chancery Location in U.S.A.: 2940 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 Consulate Location: Los Angeles U.S. Chief of Mission to Kuwait: Ambassador Matthew H. Thueller U.S. Embassy Location: Bayan 36302, Block 13, Al-Masjed Al-Aqsa Street (near the Bayan palace), Kuwait City There are no general U.S. consulates in Kuwait. Permanent Representative of Kuwait to the U.N.: Ambassador Mansour Ayyad Al-Otaibi |
The colors and design are based on the Arab revolt flag of World War I. Green represents the fertile fields; white demonstrates Kuwaiti purity; red is the blood on Kuwaiti swords; and black signifies the defeat of their enemies.
National Symbol: golden falcon International Disputes: Kuwait and Saudi Arabia are negotiating to create a joint maritime boundary with Iran, and currently there is no maritime boundary for Iraq. Refugees: none Stateless persons: 93,000 (primarily descendants of Bedouin tribes who missed the opportunity to register for citizenship in the early 1900's. They often petition and demonstrate against the government in order to gain citizenship rights) Human trafficking: Men and women from India, Egypt, Bangladesh, Syria, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Nepal, Iran, Jordan, Ethiopia, and Iraq often migrate voluntarily to Kuwait for job opportunities yet are forced into labor upon arrival, forced prostitution occurs to a lesser extent. Kuwait has little legislation to help victims of human trafficking or to slow its perpetrators. Illicit drug issues: N/A |