Public Prosecution: Human Trafficking Cases Rise to 11
Kuwait maintains its Tier 2 ranking in the U.S. State Department's 2026 report thanks to the Public Prosecution's efforts in raising trafficking cases to 11 and initiating lawsuits against 64 defendants.
Translated by Qiyas from الجريدة — Original source
Kuwait has maintained its Tier 2 ranking in the U.S. Department of State’s 2026 Trafficking in Persons Report for the second consecutive year, bolstered by increased judicial efforts that saw the number of trafficking cases under investigation rise to 11, criminal proceedings initiated against 64 defendants, and the establishment of a specialized unit to combat these crimes and protect victims, underscoring the state’s firm commitment to prosecuting perpetrators and enforcing the law with resolve.
The Public Prosecution stated, “Kuwait has retained its Tier 2 ranking for the second consecutive year, according to the U.S. Department of State’s 2026 Trafficking in Persons Report, issued on October 8. This classification was based on the state’s enhanced efforts compared to previous periods, with criminal prosecution taking precedence.”
In a statement, the Public Prosecution confirmed that it initiated criminal proceedings against 64 defendants for trafficking offenses, charging them under the provisions of Law No. 91 of 2013 concerning the fight against human trafficking and migrant smuggling. It also pursued related crimes connected to the primary offense, including money laundering and forgery of official and bank documents.
The number of trafficking cases under investigation rose from three to eleven during the reporting period, and convictions were handed down against defendants for the crime of human trafficking. During the reporting period, the Attorney General established a specialized unit to combat human trafficking and migrant smuggling, tasked with monitoring the implementation of the national referral mechanism, standardizing procedures for identifying and protecting victims, developing investigative methods, building a comprehensive database on these crimes, providing technical guidance to Public Prosecution members and law enforcement agencies, and ensuring that prosecutors received training on the proper legal characterization of trafficking cases. An online reporting service for these crimes was also made available on its website.
The Public Prosecution commended the efforts of the Standing National Committee to Combat Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants and its representative entities, and reaffirmed its continued role in prosecuting perpetrators of these crimes, applying legal penalties against them, and protecting their victims.
