WOMEN'S RIGHTS IN KUWAIT

Early day motion 621, tabled 19 July 2005 by Nick Harvey (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 57 members.

That this House congratulates Massouma al-Mubarak for being appointed as Kuwait's first female minister on 12th June; notes that as a distinguished academic and human rights activist she is highly qualified for the post; celebrates the historic passing of the Women's Suffrage Bill in a 35-23 vote on 16th May which grants women the right to vote some 41 years after the first Kuwait parliament was elected; further notes that some tribal and Islamist MPs resisted the appointment of Massouma al-Mubarak on the grounds that she had not yet been able to register on a voters' list; and calls upon the UK Government actively to support and monitor this new development in Kuwait in the hope that many more women follow in Massouma al-Mubarak's footsteps.

Signatures by party: Labour 29, Liberal Democrat 18, Conservative 7, DUP 1, Plaid Cymru 1, UUP 1.