Academic Freedom | Letter Regarding the Arrest of Dr Jassim Aljezza in Kuwait

H.E. Bader Almunayekh
Ambassador of Kuwait in the UK
Sent by email: london@mofa.gov.kw

Your Excellency,                                        

We write on behalf of the Committee on Academic Freedom of the British Society for Middle Eastern Studies (BRISMES) to express our deep concern over the arrest of Dr Jassim Aljezza. We understand that Dr Aljezza was summoned by national security on November 9, 2025, and has been held in detention over an article he wrote and posted on X (formerly Twitter) on November 2, 2025.

Founded in 1973, BRISMES is the largest national academic association in Europe focused on the study of the Middle East and North Africa. It is committed to supporting academic freedom and freedom of expression within the region and in connection with the study of the region, both in the UK and globally, and it is under this remit that we write to you.

Dr Aljezza’s detention appears to violate Article 41 of Kuwait’s constitution, which guarantees freedom of opinion and scientific research. His case also sets a dangerous precedent for Kuwaiti democracy, threatening to derail its legacy of a unique and successful institution-building process in the Gulf region.

We respectfully request that you urgently raise the matter with the relevant authorities in Kuwait with a view to ensuring that Dr Aljezza’s rights are fully protected and that he is afforded all due legal safeguards. We welcome any steps that support his prompt release, in accordance with Kuwait’s legal commitments to uphold human rights and academic freedom.

We thank you for your attention to this critical issue and await your response. As is our standard practice, this letter will be published on our website.

Yours sincerely,

Professor Nicola Pratt
BRISMES President                                

Dr Lewis Turner
Chair, BRISMES Committee on Academic Freedom

On behalf of the BRISMES Committee on Academic Freedom