Lawyers Association to its members: Do not publish or promote rulings in drug cases

The Kuwait Bar Association has urged its members to avoid publishing or promoting in the media rulings issued in drug and psychotropic substance cases. In a statement, the association said: “While fully acknowledging that such rulings are issued by the judiciary in accordance with the law, and that a lawyer’s exercise of his duty to defend his client represents an inherent right and a sacred mission that must not be undermined, republishing or highlighting these rulings in the media may convey unintended messages to some vulnerable individuals, suggesting the possibility of escaping punishment or the ease of finding legal loopholes in such crimes. This could weaken the preventive and deterrent effect that the state seeks to establish in confronting the scourge of drugs.”

The association emphasized that this call does not aim to restrict a lawyer’s freedom to publicize his professional achievements, nor does it diminish his status or role in defending rights. Rather, it underscores the lawyer’s social responsibility as a partner in protecting society, ensuring that his media message aligns with professional values, the public interest, and national policies aimed at combating drugs.

For his part, Dr. Khaled Al-Suwaiyan, Secretary-General of the Kuwait Bar Association, told Al-Qabas that the circular halting the publication or media promotion of rulings in drug and psychotropic substance cases falls within the profession’s responsibility toward society and supports the national stance adopted by the state in confronting this scourge. He explained that the state is making comprehensive efforts to combat drugs, starting from legislative development, through the significant security efforts undertaken by the Ministry of Interior to apprehend and pursue drug traffickers and distributors, to the role of the Public Prosecution in applying the law, culminating in deterrent judicial rulings.

Al-Suwaiyan added that this system has reflected on the ground with a drop in drug-related cases by approximately 44 percent, according to official statements, viewing this as a positive indicator confirming that the state’s approach is beginning to yield tangible results. He stressed that preserving and enhancing these results is a shared national responsibility, not limited to security and judicial authorities alone. He emphasized that a lawyer’s role extends beyond fulfilling his duty to defend his clients to actively participating in protecting society. “From this perspective, the lawyer’s role as a partner in achieving justice and a partner in protecting society comes into play,” he said, while fully affirming the sanctity of the right to defense and the independence of lawyers in performing their professional duties, as these are fundamental guarantees of justice and the rule of law.

Efforts of Lawyers

Al-Suwaiyan affirmed that the association’s call for colleagues to avoid media promotion of rulings in drug cases does not diminish their professional efforts or their right to defend their clients. He stressed that the efforts of colleagues, male and female, and the legal and judicial outcomes they achieve are highly valued and a source of pride. He clarified that the circular aims to ensure that certain forms of media publication do not convey unintended messages that might conflict with the preventive and deterrent efforts the state is working to embed in society.

Awareness Role

He pointed out that the Kuwait Bar Association’s role in combating this scourge has not been limited to issuing circulars; it has remained present in the community and awareness sectors through organizing and participating in awareness campaigns and programs, including the “We Protect Our Homeland” and “Aware” campaigns. He added that this comes alongside lawyers’ legal, legislative, and community contributions in supporting anti-drug efforts and raising awareness of their dangers.

Al-Suwaiyan noted that this approach is not new for the Kuwait Bar Association, which previously issued a circular regarding publication guidelines in family cases, considering the special and sensitive nature of such cases and their social repercussions. He affirmed that this stems from the association’s responsibility to regulate the profession’s affairs and preserve its ethics and traditions.

Code of Ethics

Al-Suwaiyan emphasized that the Law Regulating the Legal Profession and the Professional Code of Ethics constitute the framework governing the practice of the profession, defining its duties, values, and guidelines. He stated that law is not merely the exercise of the right to defense, but a professional and social mission based on protecting rights and freedoms, consolidating the rule of law, and considering the public interest.

Lawyers’ Response

Al-Suwaiyan praised lawyers’ response to the association’s circular, affirming that this response reflects professional awareness and a recognized national responsibility, confirming that lawyers are an integral part of the national effort to confront drugs. He said: “Just as the lawyer is a partner in establishing justice and defending rights and freedoms, he is also a partner in protecting society.” He stressed that the state’s success in combating drugs and enhancing achieved results requires the concerted efforts of everyone, “each from their position and responsibility.”

Observing Professional Values and Public Interest

The Kuwait Bar Association stressed that this call does not aim to restrict a lawyer’s freedom to publicize his professional achievements, nor does it diminish his status or role in defending rights. Rather, it underscores the lawyer’s social responsibility as a partner in protecting society, ensuring that his media message aligns with professional values, the public interest, and national policies aimed at combating drugs. The association also appreciates the positive results achieved by the state in this field, evident in the noticeable drop in drug-related cases following the implementation of the new Anti-Drug Law, with a reduction rate of 44 percent according to official statements. This reflects the effectiveness of the legislative and national approach in confronting this scourge and confirms the importance of consolidating efforts among all state institutions and civil society organizations, with the legal profession at the forefront, to preserve and enhance these results.

Supporting State Efforts in Drug Prevention

The association called on lawyers to continue their national role, ensuring their media discourse extends the noble mission of the legal profession, thereby contributing to enhancing legal awareness, consolidating the rule of law, and supporting state efforts in drug prevention and achieving general deterrence. This embodies the true role of the lawyer as a partner in establishing justice and protecting society.