USCIRF Criticizes Passage of Kuwait's New Blasphemy Bill

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom last week issued a statement (full text) strongly criticizing the Kuwaiti Parliament's recent passage of a bill imposing strong penalties-- including the death penalty in some cases-- for blasphemy. (See prior posting.) USCIRF Chairman Leonard Leo said:

These penalties are alarming and contrary to international human rights standards.  It is particularly regrettable that a strong ally of the United States and a member of the UN Human Rights Council has taken these steps.  The Kuwaiti parliament’s approval is especially unfortunate in light of the new consensus resolutions at the Human Rights Council – adopted in both 2011 and 2012 -- that focus on fighting religious intolerance, discrimination, and violence without restricting speech.

The bill will become law only if approved by the Emir of Kuwait within 30 days of its passage.