Colonel Al-Bu Abass to 'Al-Siyasah': Juvenile Cases Drop from 2,316 Last Year to 991 in 2026

Rehabilitation and reform are the foundation of dealing with this group, not just punishment.

The Kuwaiti Juvenile Law focuses on behavior correction and providing opportunities for rehabilitation.

The Juvenile Affairs Department keeps pace with digital transformation to expedite the processing of reports and summonses.

Traffic violations, altercations, and cases of exposure to delinquency are the most prominent issues we handle.

We respect the rights of juveniles and children during summonses, investigations, and detention.

There is rapid coordination between the Juvenile Protection unit and care centers for intervention.

The Director of the Juvenile Protection Department in the General Directorate of Criminal Investigations, Colonel Ali Hussein Al-Bouabas, emphasized the importance of handling juvenile cases according to an approach that combines law enforcement with rehabilitation and reform, thereby achieving the best interests of the juvenile and maintaining societal security.

Colonel Al-Bouabas stated in an interview with "Al-Siyasa" that the department’s role extends beyond handling reports and cases to include preventive and social aspects, by studying the circumstances surrounding the juvenile and working to address the causes that may lead to delinquency, in coordination with relevant authorities. He clarified that the department deals with traffic cases, altercations, cases of exposure to delinquency, and violations of children's rights, in addition to following up on reports of juveniles missing from their families' homes, taking necessary measures to locate them and ensure their safety.

He stressed safeguarding the rights of juveniles during investigative and interrogation procedures, taking into account their ages and legal and social situations, and ensuring they are not detained with adults, alongside coordinating with the Ministry of Social Affairs and care centers to take appropriate measures for each case.

Colonel Al-Bouabas pointed out that the Kuwaiti Juvenile Law focuses on behavior correction and providing opportunities for rehabilitation and reintegration into society, rather than limiting itself to punishment. He confirmed that there has been a notable decrease in the number of cases registered with the department under various categories in 2026 compared to 2025. He explained that statistics recorded 2,316 cases last year, comprising 2,186 misdemeanor cases and 130 felony cases. Meanwhile, the total number of cases from January 1 to October 22, 2026, reached approximately 991 cases, including 916 misdemeanor cases and 75 felony cases.

He clarified that this decline included various types of cases, particularly traffic cases, which decreased following the implementation of the new Traffic Law, reflecting the importance of adhering to laws and deterrent procedures in reducing violations and enhancing road safety. The details of the interview follow:

What are the jurisdictional responsibilities of the Juvenile Protection Department?

The department is responsible for preliminary investigation procedures, research, inquiry, and evidence collection in juvenile crimes and their perpetrators across the country. It also contributes to guarding juvenile care centers and following up on the implementation of decisions and rulings issued by the Juvenile Public Prosecution and Juvenile Court. Additionally, it collects evidence to identify the causes of juvenile delinquency in coordination with relevant authorities and works to address them. Necessary inquiries are conducted regarding violations committed against children after receiving reports and cases sent from all hospitals in the country, investigating them, and referring them to the competent authority to complete the investigation after coordinating with the Ministry of Health, represented by the Child Protection Team.

Preventive Role

What role do you play in protecting juveniles and society?

In addition to our security role in enforcing the law and protecting society from crimes committed by juveniles, we have a preventive role to protect the juvenile himself from sliding into crime or delinquency.

Most Prominent Cases

What are the most prominent cases and crimes handled by the Juvenile Protection Department in Kuwait?

Traffic cases, altercations, cases of exposure to delinquency, and violations of children's rights.

How do you handle cases involving a juvenile offender who may simultaneously be a victim of familial or social circumstances?

After investigation and inquiry, if it is established that the juvenile offender is a victim of familial circumstances, the juvenile is referred to the Social Supervision Office under the Ministry of Social Affairs to take necessary measures and submit a social report to the competent authorities in accordance with the Juvenile Law.

Cases of Absconding

How do you handle cases of juveniles running away from their families’ homes, and what procedures are followed to locate them and ensure their safety?

Cases of absconding are recorded at the local police station, a file for at-risk youth is opened, and a case study of the juvenile and their family situation is conducted by the specialized Social Research Department. Based on this assessment, appropriate measures are taken.

Summoning Parties

What procedures do you follow from receiving a report involving a juvenile party until referring the case to the competent authorities?

We summon the parties involved, verify the accuracy of the report, and conduct necessary investigations. If it becomes evident that a crime constituting a juvenile case or an infringement on children’s rights has occurred, the case is recorded and referred to the competent authority.

Juvenile Rights

How do you ensure the protection of the juvenile’s rights during questioning and investigation, in a manner appropriate to their age and legal status?

The Juvenile Protection Department is a specialized unit dedicated to protecting juveniles and children. All rights of the juvenile and child are respected when they are summoned and questioned; they are never detained or held with adults. Waiting areas are specially designed to suit their ages. Guardians are required to accompany the juvenile. Furthermore, plainclothes attire for investigative officers helps reduce the child’s or juvenile’s fear, fostering better dialogue and communication.

Rapid Coordination

Describe the coordination between your department and care centers under the Ministry of Social Affairs.

The Director of the Juvenile Protection Department is a member of the Juvenile Care Council under the Juvenile Law. Coordination between the Juvenile Protection Department and care centers is swift, direct, and multidirectional. Key aspects include assessing care centers, addressing all issues faced by these centers regarding residents, and handling social matters, including placement, behavioral monitoring, and transferring juveniles from care centers to the Juvenile Court.

Future Plans

Are there future plans to develop operations and leverage modern technologies for early detection of risks threatening juveniles and their protection?

Yes. As part of digital transformation, we have accelerated processes related to reports and summonses. Security personnel are trained and enrolled in courses according to the plan prepared by the Training Department.

Juvenile Law

How do you balance applying the law to a juvenile involved in a crime while considering their best interests and providing opportunities for rehabilitation and reintegration into society?

The Kuwaiti Juvenile Law prioritizes the best interests of the juvenile. The objective of security and judicial measures is not punishment, but behavioral correction. This is achieved through alternative measures such as placement, judicial probation, and social services.

Case Statistics

Are there statistics detailing the number of cases handled by the Juvenile Investigations Department during 2025 and 2026, and what are the key indicators reflected, particularly in light of the implementation of the new Traffic Law?

Yes, statistics from the Juvenile Protection Department indicate a decline in the number of registered cases in 2026 compared to 2025. During the previous year, the Department recorded 2,316 cases, comprising 2,186 misdemeanor cases and 130 felony cases. From January 1 to October 22, 2026, the total number of cases reached 991, including 916 misdemeanors and 75 felonies. This decline reflects a reduction in the number of cases across all categories, particularly traffic-related cases, which decreased following the implementation of the new Traffic Law. This underscores the importance of deterrent legislation and measures in curbing violations and enhancing compliance with the law.

Definition of a Juvenile and Types of Juveniles

Who is considered a juvenile under Kuwaiti law, and what age group does the Juvenile Law cover?

According to Kuwaiti Juvenile Law No. (111) of 2015 and its amendments, a juvenile is defined as follows:

Juvenile: Any male or female who has not yet reached the age of eighteen.

Delinquent Juvenile: Any juvenile who has completed the age of seven but has not yet reached eighteen and has committed an act punishable by law.

Juvenile at Risk of Delinquency: A juvenile is considered at risk of delinquency if found in any of the situations specified by law, such as begging, running away from home, being estranged from parental authority, having no responsible guardian, associating with vagrants, and being suspected of wrongdoing.

Our Doors Are Open to “Everyone”

Colonial Ali Bou Abbas, Director of the Juvenile Investigation Department, emphasized that the Department’s doors are open to receive all reports, whether from children or their parents. He called on parents to report their delinquent children to the Juvenile Investigation Department.

Rebellious Cases... Improved

Colonel Bou Abbas clarified that some juveniles who exhibited rebellious behavior showed improvement after being referred to specialists and psychological researchers within the Department and relevant authorities. Their conditions improved following continued monitoring of their circumstances and behavioral correction. He added that parents, exhausted by their children’s behavior, turned to the Department, where cases were treated with complete confidentiality.

Malicious Reports... Competent Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, and Personnel

Colonel Ali Bou Abbas confirmed the presence of competent officers, non-commissioned officers, personnel, social and psychological researchers, and counselors in the Department to handle all reports and cases, including malicious ones. He noted that they always pursue reconciliation orders, particularly in family-related cases.