By Agence France Presse (AFP)
Tuesday, November 30, 2010 
 
KUWAIT CITY: Five Islamist MPs in Kuwait Monday proposed a one-year prison term and $3,500 fine for women who wear swimsuits at the beach.

The lawmakers, representing various Islamist groups in Parliament, also said in a proposal to amend Kuwait’s penal code that the same penalty should apply to women who reveal their upper chest or take part in “indecent behavior.”

The proposal calls for a ban on women wearing swimsuits at beaches, islands and swimming pools. It does not specify if it covers private beaches run by hotels and resorts. The amendment would need to be approved by parliamentary panels, by Parliament itself and also signed by the ruling emir to become law.

The MPs complained of a spread of “indecent” practices and said coastguards were unable to act against women in indecent costume or other violations of public order because of a lack of clear legislation.

But liberal woman MP Aseel al-Awadhi condemned the proposal as contrary to the constitution and “regrettable,” asking why it failed to also make reference to men. – AFP