Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09KUWAIT1192
2009-12-17 12:16:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Kuwait
Cable title:
STIFF JAIL PENALTY FOR MAID-ABUSING KUWAITI
how-toVZCZCXRO9118 PP RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHDIR DE RUEHKU #1192 3511216 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 171216Z DEC 09 FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4339 INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHML/AMEMBASSY MANILA PRIORITY 0616 RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
UNCLAS KUWAIT 001192
SIPDIS
NEA/ARP
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KTIP ELAB SOCI KU
SUBJECT: STIFF JAIL PENALTY FOR MAID-ABUSING KUWAITI
UNCLAS KUWAIT 001192
SIPDIS
NEA/ARP
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KTIP ELAB SOCI KU
SUBJECT: STIFF JAIL PENALTY FOR MAID-ABUSING KUWAITI
1. (U) In a landmark December 10 ruling, a criminal court
sentenced a Kuwaiti employer in absentia to 16 years in jail
for sexually and physically abusing a Filipina maid in his
employ and issued a warrant for his arrest; the employer
absconded and as of December 12 had not been apprehended,
according to local press reports. The Philippines Embassy
labor attache Omar Garangan told PolOff that, to his
knowledge, this was the most severe sentence ever given to a
Kuwaiti for mistreatment of a Filipina worker. The
Philippines Embassy had filed charges on behalf of the woman
in March after she had been hospitalized for a head wound
requiring 24 stitches. In her sworn statement, she claimed
that her employer sexually assaulted her and threatened to
kill her if she refused his advances, according to the
Philippines Embassy.
2. (SBU) Comment: In the past year, the GOK charged twelve
Kuwaiti citizens and a larger number of expats with domestic
labor abuse. However, the December 10 sentence of 16 years
is unusually stiff. By comparison, a Kuwaiti citizen charged
with murder for beating his maid to death in July was
sentenced to ten years. The tough sentence in this case sends
a strong and welcome anti-TIP message: Kuwaiti nationals
should no longer consider themselves above the law when it
comes to mistreatment of domestic workers.
********************************************* *********
For more reporting from Embassy Kuwait, visit:
visit Kuwait's Classified Website at:
http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Kuwa it
********************************************* *********
JONES
SIPDIS
NEA/ARP
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KTIP ELAB SOCI KU
SUBJECT: STIFF JAIL PENALTY FOR MAID-ABUSING KUWAITI
1. (U) In a landmark December 10 ruling, a criminal court
sentenced a Kuwaiti employer in absentia to 16 years in jail
for sexually and physically abusing a Filipina maid in his
employ and issued a warrant for his arrest; the employer
absconded and as of December 12 had not been apprehended,
according to local press reports. The Philippines Embassy
labor attache Omar Garangan told PolOff that, to his
knowledge, this was the most severe sentence ever given to a
Kuwaiti for mistreatment of a Filipina worker. The
Philippines Embassy had filed charges on behalf of the woman
in March after she had been hospitalized for a head wound
requiring 24 stitches. In her sworn statement, she claimed
that her employer sexually assaulted her and threatened to
kill her if she refused his advances, according to the
Philippines Embassy.
2. (SBU) Comment: In the past year, the GOK charged twelve
Kuwaiti citizens and a larger number of expats with domestic
labor abuse. However, the December 10 sentence of 16 years
is unusually stiff. By comparison, a Kuwaiti citizen charged
with murder for beating his maid to death in July was
sentenced to ten years. The tough sentence in this case sends
a strong and welcome anti-TIP message: Kuwaiti nationals
should no longer consider themselves above the law when it
comes to mistreatment of domestic workers.
********************************************* *********
For more reporting from Embassy Kuwait, visit:
visit Kuwait's Classified Website at:
http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Kuwa it
********************************************* *********
JONES