Kuwait adopts reform-focused approach to juvenile offenders

By the Editorial Team · Wednesday, October 28, 2026

Kuwait’s Juvenile Protection Department is implementing a reform-focused strategy that combines law enforcement with rehabilitation to address juvenile offenses and safeguard young individuals. This approach has contributed to a notable decline in juvenile cases in 2026, particularly traffic violations, by emphasizing prevention, individualized interventions, and inter-agency cooperation.

Kuwait’s Juvenile Protection Department is adopting a reform-oriented approach to handling cases involving juvenile offenders, emphasizing both law enforcement and rehabilitative measures to safeguard young individuals while maintaining public safety. Colonel Ali Hussein Bu-Abbas, Director of the department at the Criminal Investigation General Department within the Interior Ministry, detailed this strategy in an interview, highlighting the department’s expanding role beyond reactive interventions to include preventive and social dimensions.

According to Bu-Abbas, the department investigates the broader context behind each juvenile case and collaborates with relevant agencies to address root causes that may contribute to delinquent behavior. The department is responsible for a variety of cases, including traffic violations, physical altercations, offenses posing a risk of delinquency, and breaches of children’s rights. Additionally, it follows up on reports of juveniles who run away from home, working to locate and secure their safety.

Colonel Bu-Abbas underscored the department’s commitment to protecting juvenile rights throughout the investigation process. This includes considering the offender’s age and social and legal circumstances, ensuring juveniles are not detained with adults, and coordinating with the Ministry of Social Affairs and care institutions to implement individualized measures aimed at rehabilitation and social reintegration.

Kuwait’s Juvenile Law prioritizes behavioral correction and rehabilitation over punitive measures. Bu-Abbas noted a marked reduction in juvenile cases in 2026 compared to the previous year. In 2025, the department recorded 2,316 cases—2,186 misdemeanors and 130 felonies—whereas from January 1 to October 22, 2026, it registered 991 cases, comprising 916 misdemeanors and 75 felonies. This decline spans various categories, most notably traffic-related offenses, which fell following the introduction of new traffic legislation.

The director attributed the decrease to stricter adherence to laws and effective deterrence strategies aimed at curbing violations and enhancing road safety. He also pointed to the department’s use of advanced technologies and its ongoing efforts to balance enforcement duties with rehabilitative interventions, ensuring the welfare of juveniles while addressing societal security concerns.

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