Kuwait Arrests Beggars in Effort to Combat Social Issues

On March 6, 2025, Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior arrested 11 beggars, including eight women, as part of a crackdown on begging outside mosques and markets. Legal actions will be taken against employers who facilitated their illegal entry. Deportation measures will be enforced based on residency status, and there will be increased scrutiny on child exploitation and electronic begging.

The Ministry of Interior in Kuwait has announced the arrest of 11 individuals, comprising eight women and three men, for begging near mosques and markets. These arrests are part of a determined effort to address social issues in the country, following directives from Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, the Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Interior.

According to the statement from the General Department of Security Relations and Media, some of the arrested beggars entered Kuwait on visit visas or family residency permits, while others exploited temporary work visas without obtaining permanent employment. Legal actions are being initiated against companies that facilitated their illegal employment.

The Ministry reaffirmed its stringent approach toward this matter, declaring that all offenders will face deportation depending on their residency status. Specifically, those on family residency (Article 22) will be deported alongside their sponsors, while private sector workers (Article 18) will also be expelled, resulting in the closure of their sponsoring company’s file.

Additionally, the Ministry is focusing on protecting vulnerable individuals, indicating that any exploitation of minors for begging will lead to legal prosecution. Furthermore, they intend to scrutinize incidents of electronic begging on social media in collaboration with the Department of Combating Cybercrime.

The Ministry of Interior encourages citizens to report begging incidents by contacting one of the designated phone numbers: 97288211, 97288200, 25582581, or the emergency hotline at 112, which is available 24/7.

In summary, the Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior has initiated a crackdown on begging, resulting in the arrest of 11 individuals engaged in this practice. The Ministry is committed to enforcing strict legal actions against violators and companies involved in unlawful recruitment. Moreover, efforts to protect minors and monitor online begging will be implemented, underscoring the seriousness with which the government is addressing these issues. Public cooperation is sought for effective monitoring.

Original Source: www.arabtimesonline.com