Fight in Kuwait parliament was shameful

The recent scuffle in the Kuwait parliament is something that should simply not have taken place. The scuffle goes beyond the fact of just being disgraceful as the development affects the parliament's proceedings very negatively.

A fight broke out between Sunni and Shiite lawmakers over a debate on Kuwaiti prisoners being held at Guantanamo Bay prison.

The standoff resulted because a lawmaker described the detainees as terrorists, to which an objection was raised by other lawmakers. Kuwaiti Prime Minister Shaikh Nasser Al Mohammad Al Sabah had called on lawmakers to keep their differences aside and focus instead on national unity.

Regardless of their positions on the issue and whether the description was correct or not, the fist fight inside parliament was improper and shameful. Lawmakers should not indulge in such activities and follow such an approach when it comes to debating issues of great importance to the people. As a matter of fact, all that these lawmakers were able to achieve in that session was to reflect a negative image to the public — not only in Kuwait but also in the region.

Kuwait is one of the first nations in the Arab world to adopt democratic measures that have set a precedent, especially in the Arabian Gulf region, in terms of organising the relationship between the rulers and the people. Hence, when this incident took place in parliament, it was disappointing as it does not serve the democratic process at all.

And it is within this context that Kuwaiti lawmakers should review their work and the manner in which they carry out their debate in parliament. The recent incident not only questions the credibility, and the ability of these lawmakers to accept opposing views, but also spoils the image of the entire parliament.