KUWAIT CITY, 19 December 2004 — Dozens of young Kuwaiti activists have formed a new political grouping in the emirate to “defend democratic gains” and promote democracy, one of its founders said yesterday.
The Justice and Development Movement aims to “develop political life in Kuwait and cleanse it of impurities,” Nasser Al-Abdali said in a statement.
The group was formed by young academics, economists and journalists who want to contribute to the creation of a “true democratic society where justice and equal opportunities are provided to citizens regardless of their ethnic, tribal or sectarian roots,” Abdali said.
The statement said that existing political groupings in Kuwait have reached a “deadlock” to the point where they are “incapable of achieving the interests of the people and their aspirations.”
At least four Islamist and three liberal political groups operate openly in Kuwait where political parties are outlawed. Most of the groups are represented in parliament.
The new centrist group called for legalizing political parties and allowing a greater role for the emirate’s civil society organizations.
