Constitution

Kuwait 1962 Constitution (reinstated 1992)

Table of Contents

Part V. General and Temporary Provisions

Article 174

The Amir and one third of the National Assembly have the right to propose the amendment of this Constitution by alteration or by deletion of one or more of its provisions or by the addition of new provisions.

Where the Amir and a majority of the members composing the Assembly agree on the amendment in principio et in substantia, the Assembly shall debate the proposed Bill, article by article. The passing of the Bill shall, however, be conditioned by the consent of two thirds of the members composing the Assembly. The amendment shall not come into force before its sanction and promulgation by the Amir. Articles 65 and 66 of this Constitution are excepted.

Where the amendment Bill is rejected in principle or in substance it shall not be re-submitted before the lapse of one year from the date of the rejection.

A proposal for the amendment of this Constitution shall not be permissible before the lapse of five years from the date of its coming into force.

Article 175

Provisions relating to the Amiri Regime in Kuwait and the principles of liberty and equality stipulated in this Constitution may not be proposed for amendment unless such amendment concerns the title of the Amirate mutato nomine or an increase of the guarantees of liberty and equality.

Article 176

The Amir’s powers as defined in the Constitution may not be proposed for amendment while he is being deputized.

Article 177

The application of the provisions of this Constitution shall not invalidate the obligations of Kuwait’s Treaties and Agreements with States and International bodies.

Article 178

Ordinances shall be published in the Official Gazette within two weeks of their enactment and shall come into force within one month from the date of their publication. That period may be extended or curtailed by a special proviso in the Ordinance itself.

Article 179

Law provisions shall become applicable only from the date of their coming into force and shall have no retroactive effect. In Articles other than those stipulating punitive measures it may be permissible, with the consent of the majority of members composing the Assembly, to provide otherwise by Law.

Article 180

All of the dictates laid down by Law, regulations, decrees, orders, and decisions operative at the time of the coming into force of this Constitution shall remain in force unless amended or abrogated in compliance with the order established by this Constitution and provided they do not conflict with any of its provisions.

Article 181

No provision of this Constitution may be suspended save in the course of Martial Law and within the limits determined by Law. National Assembly conventions may not, in any circumstance, be suspended during that period, nor may the immunity of its members be violated.

Article 182

This Constitution shall be published in the Official Gazette and shall come into force from the date of the National Assembly’s meeting provided such meeting does not take place later than the month of January, 1963.

Article 183

Ordinance No. 1/1962 governing the fundamental system of rule during the transitional period shall remain operative until the meeting of the National Assembly, and present members of the Constituent Assembly shall continue to exercise their functions as set out in the above-mentioned Ordinance.