Several lawmakers — mostly Muslim fundamentalists and tribal representatives who oppose women's political rights_ are challenging the appointment of Kuwait's first female Cabinet member as unconstitutional, one of them said Tuesday. Ten legislators had signed a request to discuss the appointment in Parliament, a step that could lead to taking it to the Constitutional Court, legislator Faisal al-Mislim said. Massouma al-Mubarak, a U.S.-educated university teacher and women's rights activist, was appointed Sunday but has not assumed her post. She is awaiting a decree from the emir or his deputy the crown prince, both of whom are ailing. The measure is only procedural.Al-Mubarak's appointment became possible when lawmakers in this tiny, oil-rich country granted women the right to vote and run for Parliament on May 16. Kuwaiti women had been kept out of the political scene by a 43-year-old election law that limited political rights to men. On Sunday, al-Mubarak was given the planning and administrative development portfolios in Cabinet. Tribal representatives and fundamentalists believe women should not mix freely with men and should stay home to care for their families. Now that al-Mubarak has been appointed, some are claiming that she does not satisfy one of the conditions for becoming a minister, which is being an "eligible voter." They say al-Mubarak cannot be considered an eligible voter because she is not registered as one. Voter registration takes place every February.
"If the appointment came after registration, we couldn't have argued," al-Mislim said. "Yes, we opposed giving women political rights, but it is now law. However, the execution of this law was hasty and constitutionally questionable." Lawmaker Deiffallah Bou Ramia, who collected the 10 signatures, was not available to comment, but his media adviser, Nasser al-Hussaini, said the request for discussion would be filed next week. Al-Mubarak said constitutional scholars had ruled that voter registration was not a requirement, and "those who want to throw doubts ... will look for a reason" to do so. The prime minister, Sheik Sabah Al Ahmed Al Sabah, said Monday that al-Mubarak's appointment was constitutional, and the "decision has been made."
Kuwaiti women have reached high positions in oil, education and the diplomatic corps, but they were kept out of politics until recently because of the now-amended election law. Al-Mubarak expected the decree finalizing her new job to be signed by Crown Prince Sheik Saad Al Abdullah Al Sabah when he is released from the hospital Wednesday. He was admitted June 9 suffering from high blood sugar levels.
| Soon to be followed by a succession of nebulous complaints that should keep him in hospital for the duration of Ms. al-Mubarak's term... |