The Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR) declares its full solidarity with Dr. Safaa Zaman, who was targeted after expressing views that include concern for her country in her capacity as an academic. Dr. Zaman is the President of the Kuwait Association for Information Security (KAIS) and a Professor in the Faculty of Computer Science and Engineering at Kuwait University.

The Civil Service Commission has brought a case against her on the trumped-up charges of broadcasting false news that undermines the prestige of the state, causing panic in society, and exposing the country to the risk of severing its relationship with a friendly country, Egypt.

The three charges are related to a talk that Dr. Zaman gave on “Appeal”, a TV programme presented by lawyer and media figure Rasha Salem, within her field of specialisation and evidence-based information, on the existence of electronic servers belonging to the Civil Service Commission in Egypt, and the resulting risk of hacking that threatens data security.

The Criminal Court held two hearings as part of its trial procedures. The first was held on 11 January 2022, during which Dr. Zaman confirmed that she had given her views, “in terms of her competence as a specialized university professor and chairperson of a public benefit association concerned with information and its security, and that she stated these views in the interest of her homeland and its security and the security of its citizens.”

The second hearing was held on 15 February 2022, during which lawyer Ali Al-Sabri defended his client, affirmed her innocence of the charges against her and presented evidence condemning the Civil Service Commission. He emphasized, in turn, “that her statement was based on freedom of opinion and scientific research, in addition to her fear for the public interest.”

The court adjourned the sentencing hearing to 29 March 2022.

For more information, see:

https://www.gc4hr.org/news/view/2919

Once again, the GCHR condemns in the strongest terms the targeting of Dr. Safaa Zaman for exercising her right to freedom of expression, and declares its absolute solidarity with her. The Kuwaiti judiciary should drop all false charges against her and discontinue her trial. GCHR calls on the Kuwaiti government to honor loyal academic personalities such as Dr. Zaman, instead of targeting her and obstructing her scientific research that is beneficial to the country.