Kuwait tightens sanctions on those who raise foreign flags or sectarian slogans without official permission.

The Kuwaiti authorities have issued a decree amending the National Flag Law to regulate the raising of flags within the country, with stricter penalties for those who raise foreign flags or sectarian symbols without official permission. The new amendment prohibits raising foreign flags in all national, social, and private occasions in Kuwait without prior permission from the Minister of Interior, except for flags raised during regional and international sports tournaments hosted by the country. The amendment also emphasizes the prohibition of raising flags or symbols expressing religious, sectarian, or tribal affiliations, with the exception of local sports clubs' logos and flags. The law also amended Article 5 of Law No. 26 of 1961, imposing strict penalties on violators, including imprisonment and fines depending on the violation, with penalties of up to three years in prison and fines of up to 10,000 Kuwaiti dinars, in addition to confiscation of the items, with penalties doubled for repeated violations. According to the explanatory memorandum of the decree, these amendments were made in response to the observation of several violations, including raising foreign flags and sectarian and tribal symbols during various events, which the government considers a threat to national cohesion and public security. The Kuwaiti authorities have stated that the aim of these measures is to enhance national belonging, strengthen unity values, and prevent any manifestations that may lead to division or threaten security within society.