DOHA,April,12: Cairo-based Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) has expressed concern over reports that a Qatari journalist has been denied entry into Kuwait for criticising the Kuwaiti government. Abdulla Hamad Al Athbah (pictured), Managing Editor of Al Arab newspaper, said Kuwaiti authorities had blacklisted him because of his articles and tweets criticising the Kuwaiti regime and making the remark that “democracy in Kuwait is declining and there is a lack of freedom of expression.” ANHRI has issued a press statement in support of Al Athbah saying: “In case the information regarding adding his name to the ban list is verified, it would be a clear violation of the right to movement, which is ensured by international treaties on human rights. It is also consistent with the policy of banning writers and intellectuals from entering Kuwait for expressing opinions that annoy the authorities. A recent manifestation of this policy was banning female Saudi writer Badriya Al Bashar from entering Kuwait at the end of 2012.” ANHRI has demanded that the Kuwaiti authorities issue an official statement on the inclusion of Al Athba’s name on the list of those banned from entering the country, clarify the reasons for banning him, and remove his name from the list. The Peninsula Doha Centre for Media Freedom (DCMF) has also demanded a clarification from the Kuwaiti government for denying entry to the Qatari journalist. “Al Athbah shouldn’t be restricted in his movement due to his writings criticising the Kuwaiti government as he is entitled to expressing his opinion freely. The DCMF is concerned about the impact such bans can have on the right of free expression and media freedom,” a DCMF statement posted on its website says. Al Athbah told this newspaper he had relatives in Kuwait and had come to know of the ban through the media. source:Qatar Chronicle

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