Relations with Jordan, on the other hand, continued to improve as Kuwait began releasing Jordanian prisoners and closed its Gulf War prison in June. No military court trials have taken place since 1991. The State Security Courts were dissolved in 1995. One court system tries both civil and criminal cases. Defendants have the right to appeal and, in felony cases, must legally be represented by legal counsel.
Police reportedly abuse detainees during interrogation.
Though the government claims to investigate allegations of abuse, findings of such investigations and information about punishments are not made public. Under the penal code, suspects may not be detained for over four days without charges. In July, Kuwait demonstrated its tough stance against drugs by executing two Iranian smugglers. Citizens may freely criticize the government, but not the al-Sabah family. The press law prohibits publication of articles critical of the royal family, as well as those deemed likely to provoke hatred or dissent.