Iraq’s extradition of Kuwaiti political activist Salman al-Khaldi has drawn condemnation, with rights groups calling it a violation of international law and a setback for human rights commitments. Al-Khaldi, 23, was handed over to Kuwaiti authorities on January 1, 2025, weeks after his arrest in Iraq.

The Kuwaiti government has described the extradition as a major security accomplishment, while critics argue it violates protections for political dissidents.

Salman al-Khaldi, a prominent opposition figure in Kuwait, is known for his critical social media posts targeting the Kuwaiti ruling family, including Emir Sheikh Mishal Al-Sabah. Al-Khaldi was sentenced in absentia to multiple prison terms in Kuwait for charges related to state security, including "insulting the Emir" and "spreading false information." He had been living in exile, first in Qatar and later in the United Kingdom, where he was granted asylum in 2023.

The extradition has drawn sharp criticism from Women Journalists Without Chains (WJWC), which described the incident as a violation of Iraq’s obligations under international agreements. In a statement released Friday, WJWC said: “There is no accomplishment in kidnapping a political activist, subjecting him to torture, long-term imprisonment, and possibly death. This reflects the continued targeting of human rights defenders and critics of Gulf governments.”

Iraq’s Defense of the Extradition

The Iraqi Ministry of Interior defended its decision, citing its commitments to regional and international agreements, including cooperation with Interpol. “The State of Iraq is a member of the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) and is committed to implementing agreements and treaties with Arab and friendly countries in various security fields,” the ministry said in a statement.

However, rights groups argue that Interpol’s Constitution prohibits the organization from intervening in cases of a political nature. WJWC highlighted Article 3 of Interpol’s Constitution, which states: “It is strictly forbidden for the Organization to undertake any intervention or activities of a political, military, religious, or racial character.”

Additionally, legal experts have raised questions about Iraq’s adherence to agreements under the Arab League, such as the 1954 Arab League Extradition Agreement and the 1982 Riyadh Arab Convention on Judicial Cooperation. Both agreements prohibit the extradition of individuals for political offenses. Critics also point to Iraq’s constitutional prohibition on extraditing political dissidents to countries where they face persecution, as outlined in Article 21 of the Iraqi Constitution.

Concerns About Human Rights Violations

WJWC and other rights groups have expressed fears that al-Khaldi may face torture or mistreatment in Kuwait. The organization pointed to the UN Convention Against Torture, ratified by Iraq in 2011, which prohibits the extradition of individuals to states where there is a credible risk of torture or inhuman treatment.

The extradition has also drawn attention to the broader practice of Gulf governments pressuring neighboring states to hand over political dissidents. In May 2023, Jordan extradited Emirati dissident Khalaf al-Rumaithi to the UAE under similar circumstances, sparking international condemnation.

Background on Salman Al-Khaldi

Al-Khaldi’s political activism and social media posts have made him a controversial figure in Kuwait. In 2022, he was sentenced in absentia to five years in prison for insulting the Emir, a sentence that was later reinstated after a brief pardon. Additional charges were brought against him in 2023 for organizing protests in London and criticizing the Kuwaiti government, leading to a combined 21 years of prison sentences handed down in absentia. In April 2024, Kuwaiti authorities revoked his citizenship under Decree No. 66, a move rights groups condemned as politically motivated.

Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior described al-Khaldi as a fugitive wanted on charges of undermining state security, claiming his extradition was carried out under regional judicial agreements. However, WJWC disputes the legality of the move, stating that al-Khaldi’s asylum status in the UK should have protected him from extradition.

Calls for Accountability

WJWC has called for an independent investigation into the circumstances of al-Khaldi’s arrest and extradition, urging both Iraq and Kuwait to uphold their commitments under international law. The organization has also appealed to the United Nations and other human rights bodies to intervene. Specifically, it called on the UN Special Rapporteurs on human rights defenders, arbitrary detention, and torture to investigate the case.

The organization further demanded that Kuwait ensure al-Khaldi’s safety and grant him access to legal representation and communication with his family. “The forcible return of Salman al-Khaldi to Kuwait, knowing the risks he faces, represents a stark violation of Iraq’s obligations under international humanitarian law,” WJWC said.