Activists voice displeasure over hate speech targeting expats

Several Kuwaiti activists have expressed displeasure on the rate of discrimination and hatred against expatriates who entered the country legitimately.

In a report published by local newspaper Arab Times, former minister of education and higher education Ahmad Al-Mulaifi declared that provocative statements issued against expatriate workers are unacceptable to the people of Kuwait. In his reaction, Assistant Undersecretary for Transfer of Ownership at the Ministry of Finance Fahad AlSha’alah agreed that Kuwait needs to restructure the demographic imbalance by training Kuwaitis for all types of jobs, but expatriate workers deserve respect. He said expatriates should not be treated with prejudice, and the issue of demographic restructure should be handled professionally without provoking expatriate workers.

Academic staff at Kuwait University Dr Ahmad Al-Munayes observed that discriminating speeches against expatriates are exaggerated to win political favor. He expressed concern that the repercussions of those speeches may be telling on the incoming generations. “Those making noises and issuing hate speeches while expressing prejudice against expatriate workers are using it to exploit the political terrain as a way of distracting attention of the public from the reality on the ground ” Secretary General of the Umbrella for Kuwaiti Work Anwar Al-Rushaid submitted.

Head of Kuwait Society for Human Rights Khalid AlAjmi said expatriates did not enter Kuwait against the will of citizens. Former dean of the Faculty of Commerce and Political Sciences Dr Sadeq Al-Bassam denounced the escalated racist speech targeting expatriates, indicating Kuwait used to depend on expatriates in the medical and educational fields and it’s not part of the Kuwaiti people to deny favors extended to them by others through such damned language.

Head of Liberalist Movement Eman Hayat slammed racist expressions against expatriates and praised the noble thoughts of the Amir to pay the debts of those convicted for financial offenses without distinction between a Kuwaiti citizen and an expatriate. Lawyer Mejbel AlShuraikah said those who keep creating disputes among citizens and expatriates are seeking electoral gains by stimulating the feelings of voters.

Former official of International Labor Organization and union leader Thabet Al-Haroun stressed that many countries stood by Kuwait in hard times and it’s unexpected of Kuwait to treat the citizens of those countries living in Kuwait with such racist rants, indicating such angry outbursts adversely affect the reputation of Kuwait and distort the humanitarian activities of Kuwait.